Gorgeous Midwest Birds You'll Want To Try Attracting To Your Yard

For bird enthusiasts in the United States, each and every region has a plethora of unique birds to enjoy in all their splendor. If you happen to reside in the Midwest, your region is certainly no exception. While Midwestern bird species might not be as flashy as those found in warmer climates, they are certainly no less whimsical or interesting. If you want to attract specific birds to your yard, you'll need to consider each species' preferences and what they bring with them. 

Some Midwestern birds — like the Blue Jay — may be pretty to look at, but are known for aggressive and territorial behavior that can scare away other birds and lead you to avoid inviting them into your yard. Small, songful chickadees, on the other hand, will fascinate you with their strict hierarchies and ability to take seeds and nuts from your feeder and hide them away for future winter feedings. Other birds you may want to have hanging around your garden include hummingbirds, goldfinches, orioles, cardinals. and woodpeckers — consider this your guide to attracting beautiful and beneficial Midwestern birds to your property. 

Many birds only visit the Midwest for a portion of each year, migrating to warmer climates during the region's harsh winters. If you're more interested in watching birds than listening to their songs, attracting the Midwest's only hummingbird species may be of interest to you. The ruby-throated hummingbird does technically sing, but its song sounds more similar to a cricket's or a cicada's than a songbird's. What it lacks in singing abilities, however, it makes up for with its gorgeous appearance. You can easily bring these tiny colorful birds to your yard by filling a hummingbird feeder with sugar water and/or planting tubular flowers, including several beautiful petunia varieties, for natural nectar.

Other charming Midwestern migratory bird choices include the American goldfinch and the Baltimore oriole. The former enjoys small seeds such as thistle and can benefit from a feeder designed specifically for small-beaked birds. The latter prefers fruit like oranges and cherries — along with orange-colored nectar — to seeds. Spreading small seeds on the ground can also help to attract a large variety of soulful ground-nesting song sparrows. 

Some bird species — often referred to as winter birds — stay put in the Midwest even during the coldest, snowiest months of winter. The Northern cardinal, the black-capped chickadee, and the downy woodpecker are three winter favorites amongst Midwestern bird watchers. If you wish to attract stunning bright red Northern cardinals to your yard, simply keep a supply of black oil sunflower seeds and chunks of suet on hand. Keep your seeds and suet on display in the early morning and nighttime hours and you'll be sure to see these gorgeous birds begin to flock to your feeders.

Fortunately, downy woodpeckers and black-capped chickadees are also fans of black oil sunflowers and chunked suet, making them easy to attract along with Northern cardinals. If you're going to keep only one sort of seed in your birdfeeder, black oil sunflower seed should be it. Be sure to also offer your Midwestern birds water — especially during the winter months when ice has taken hold outdoors. You can purchase a heated birdbath for your feathered friends on Amazon for about $30. Just be sure to cover a large portion of the water with sticks or other perches during winter to encourage drinking while discouraging submersion, which can cause birds' feather to freeze upon takeoff.