Ditch The Traditional Bird Feeder: Try These Buffets To Attract More Birds

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A great way to attract a variety of birds to your yard is to leave out a range of different food options. As such, purchasing a small bird feeder and filling it with a single type of food might not be the best way to attract a wide range of bird species. Instead, think of it like an event you would hold for people. Some guests might like sweet desserts, some might like salty snacks, and others might enjoy savory entrees. The best way to cater to them all? A buffet, of course!

While it may sound strange to set out a bird feeder in the style of a buffet, it can actually be a great alternative to entice more birds because they will not only have plenty of different food options, but they will also have the space to perch while they enjoy their snack. So, can you set up a bird buffet for your own yard to seriously level up your birdwatching game? In a moment, we'll have a look at some clever, easy-to-construct options, like a vertical buffet and a charcuterie board-style buffet, so you can pick the one that sounds like the best fit for you. 

But first, let's consider a few essential tips to ensure your feeder is safe and effective for visiting birds. Remember to clean your bird feeder regularly to prevent the spread of disease and stop mold or mildew from growing. In addition, it is important to place the feeder away from windows to decrease the chances of birds colliding with the glass. Also, provide plenty of spots for them to perch nearby so they can look out for predators. With those tips in mind, let's dive into some delightful bird buffet options.

One brilliant bird buffet design is a compartmentalized version. By using plastic storage bins or containers with separate sections, you can keep track of which foods are running low. This design can help you place foods popular with your local birds, such as mealworms and sunflowers, in different sections, allowing multiple birds to visit at once. Creating a line of separate food stations also makes it easy to remove the ones that have gotten dirty and clean them while the rest remain available for the birds to snack on.

Want to have a bird feeder in your garden but don't want something that looks garish or utilitarian? Try a bird-specific charcuterie board! First, take a tray you like the look of that is wide enough for the birds to perch on. Then, layer different bird-safe foods, such as nuts and seeds, across the surface, using the varied shapes and colors to create an attractive, edible display for your neighborhood birds. You could even grab some leftover food scraps you can use to make natural bird feeders, such as apples, pumpkin, peanut butter, and raisins, instead of a proper charcuterie board.

A bird buffet doesn't necessarily have to be spread out or segmented into different sections. If you enjoy watching birds pick out their favorite snacks, you can use a simple square platform with raised sides for them to perch on instead. Simply layer in different foods, then sit back and enjoy watching them grab their chosen pieces. This is a great feeder if you want to set up a birdwatching camera like this Vigytech smart bird camera, too, as its compact size means the whole thing will be in shot, allowing you to watch the birds from anywhere.

Your bird buffet doesn't have to be all on a single platform. If you have enough space in your yard, why not create tiered feeding stations with different types of food? This is a good option if larger local birds have been scaring off the smaller ones. You can put food that the larger birds won't like in certain feeders, leaving those ones open for the smaller birds to feed from. In addition, having a low-down feeder that satisfies the squirrels can keep them off the platforms you want to leave exclusively for the birds.

Two classic bird-friendly garden features are feeders and baths. Birds benefit from accessible water because they need it for drinking and washing. As such, you could combine your mixed-food bird buffet with a water element to provide places for local birds to drink and eat. However, keep in mind that birds prefer a bit of separation between their food and water, so it is a good idea to raise the birdbath, ideally a few feet above the feeding area. This will also ensure no food lands in the water, soiling it prematurely.

If you don't have much space in your garden but would still like to create a stunning, varied buffet for your local birds, you could consider repurposing an existing element of your property. Patio railings are already perfectly suited to creating a buffet of different food types for birds, as they tend to be wide enough to both hold the food and to allow the birds to perch. To have the best chance of attracting birds, use a railing with less foot traffic and generally quieter so they feel safe approaching the food.

Did you know that your bird feeder can actually stay open all year round? You can create your own bespoke bird buffet even in the winter, though there are a few things you should do differently to accommodate your wildlife's cold-weather needs. First, place the feeders in a location that is less likely to get wet from snow or rain to stop the food from going moldy too quickly.  Then, change out the summer seeds for extra-fatty choices like suet and peanuts to keep visiting birds safe throughout winter by providing them with plenty of energy.

Are you keen on attracting a more diverse variety of birds to your yard? To make your bird buffet even more enticing to avian visitors, try mixing horizontal and vertical elements. This can help because some birds are used to eating from the ground and don't mind eating from flat platforms, while other birds, like chickadees, tend to forage in trees and prefer to perch higher up while snacking. In addition, the vertical elements can be placed near cover, like tree branches, to give the birds a place to retreat if they feel threatened.