4 Beautiful North American Birds & How to Attract Them To Your Backyard

At Birdertown, we adore our feathered friends and know that fellow backyard birders love to see new birds visiting their yards. There are many different types of birds that you can attract to your yard, depending on where you live. 

Here is a list of four of our favorite North American birds. 

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Hummingbirds truly hold a special place in our hearts, and the ruby-throated hummingbird is by far one of the most loved. This hummingbird species can be found throughout the eastern half of the United States, most of Central America, and southeast Canada. It even migrates to southern portions of Manitoba and Alberta during part of the year. 

These birds are known for their characteristic ruby red patch on their throat. It’s fun to see them sprint around, competing for food. After all, their wings can flap over 50 times per second. They have a lifespan of up to five years. 

To attract these Hummingbirds to your home, you’ll need to plant many flowering plants. The average hummingbird dines from over 1,000 flowers in a day. They also eat small insects. Add a few hummingbird feeders. They are drawn to red-colored feeders and plants. 

Northern Cardinal

Cardinals are particularly loved by birders. In fact, seven states have adopted cardinals as their state bird. You’ll also see the regal cardinal depicted as the mascot of two professional sports teams.

When most people think about cardinals, they picture the northern cardinal. The male version of this bird has bright red plumage with black feathers around its face and some black on the wings. You can find this beautiful creature throughout the vast majority of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. It also frequents southern areas, including Central America and most of Mexico. 

If you want to attract cardinals to your backyard, there are a few simple tips. They love seeds, mainly black oil sunflower seeds. Offering this in a tube feeder with a protective cover will appeal to these birds. Thus, hanging feeders near trees and shrubs are great for bringing cardinals to your yard. 

Baltimore Oriole

One of our favorite birds is the Oriole, and there seem to be no species more popular than the Baltimore Oriole. The bright orange of this bird is perfectly joined with its black coloring, making it one that easily stands out. While it may be most closely associated with the baseball team that takes its name, the reality is it can be found in much of North America. 

Depending on the season, you can find Baltimore Orioles from Central America up the east coast of Mexico and throughout the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. It can even be found in Caribbean islands, southern regions of Quebec and Ontario, and in the south halves of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. 

When it comes to getting Orioles to frequent your yard, the best way is with one of our Oriole fruit and jelly feeders. In fact, these birds love devouring sweet items such as fruit, mainly cut oranges and grapes. You want to begin working to attract them in early Spring as they will tend to pick their dining spaces when they first arrive. 

Eastern Bluebird

There are few birds more classic than the bluebird. While there are several species, the eastern bluebird seems to be a revered classic. Its beautiful blue color is paired with a rusty orange chest, making it a stunning sight when it decides to stop by your home. 

The eastern bluebird is another found in most areas of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. It can also be found in portions of Mexico and the southernmost parts of Quebec, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.