Many species fly right by feeders, choosing to forage for food on the ground instead. The easiest way to entice these birds, says Nancy Castillo, one of the co-owners of the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Saratoga Springs, New York, is to “sprinkle small amounts of seed, especially around shrubs, to attract birds that prefer eating on the ground, like towhees, juncos and native sparrows.” Some larger birds, including quails, doves, thrashers and cardinals, also prefer to dig into flat-surface spreads.
Go Easy on the Seeds
Sunflower and safflower seeds, cracked corn and seed blends are all fine for sprinkling directly on the ground. It’s best to serve only a little each day as opposed to piling up a bunch of seeds. This protects seeds from soggy weather and reduces…
