Tips on attracting birds to your backyard

For seed. The basic three seeds people use are: sunflower seed (in and out of the shell), safflower (a seed in a hard white shell), and peanuts (also in and out of the shell).

Suet is also a good addition. It's rendered animal fat with seeds, fruit, nuts, etc. and is a hit among woodpeckers and nuthatches. Although it's also a favorite among starlings, so beware.