The Bird Feeding Trick That Will Attract More Robins To Your Yard

Are you struggling to attract robins to your yard? Tired of looking out your window just to find these charismatic and eye-catching birds flocking to your neighbor's yard instead of your own? Fortunately, if it seems like you can't attract robins no matter what you try, there is another solution that may be the answer to your problems — a different feeding technique.

There are various features you can add to attract robins to your garden, from bird baths to nesting boxes. However, if you want to see robins year-round, then it's helpful to learn about the types of food they like — and how they prefer to eat it. When they're picking up meals on their own in the wild, robins are ground-foragers. When they're on the prowl for their next meal, you'll often notice them shuffling around the ground, searching for any earthworms to pluck and gobble up. Because they tend to look for food on or near the ground, robins may show little to no interest in your feeders, which is why it can feel difficult to attract them in large numbers.

Does that mean you need to throw out your bird feeder? Of course not! Robins will still visit typical feeders occasionally, and you can also use them to attract other interesting backyard birds. However, if you want to have the best success with attracting ground-feeding birds like robins, it can be helpful to find the right way to feed them on the ground.

If you're tired of filling up those hard-to-reach elevated bird feeders and your goal is to attract more robins, you're in luck. Because they're ground foragers, robins prefer feeders that are near the ground. In fact, you can even choose to scatter the feed directly on the ground. However, unless you're sure that your local robins are coming with an appetite and will eat the food quickly, you'll likely want to avoid this practice. Otherwise, you may end up with old food that you'll need to clean up to keep uninvited critters away. After all, when you're trying to attract more robins, you don't want to end up with rats instead.

To avoid the hassle of cleaning up scattered bird food, you can instead opt for a low-level feeding station that leaves ample room for robins to hop around and "forage" through the feed you leave out. Ground trays and platform feeders can be great choices for this, offering your feathered friends a spot to eat that fits their needs while being easy for you to fill and tend to.

When you ground-feed robins and other similar birds, it's essential to choose a safe spot for your feeder. This means providing a location away from any prowling cats or dogs who may harm your backyard birds while they try to eat. Consider adding plants that robins love near the feeder for additional protection and to help attract the birds to your yard.