Top Feeder Birds in Georgia

Georgia is a gift to bird lovers, offering an abundance of habitats that provide the right conditions for food and shelter for a wide range of songbirds. Its relatively undeveloped shoreline lends visitors an unblemished look at shorebirds and songbirds alike in their natural setting. The many hiking trails winding through Georgia’s forested mountain ranges provide an idyllic setting to search and listen for new colorful species.

What helps the cause of birdwatching is the Peach State’s year-round warm climate that provides a temperate winter home for a number of songbird species that migrate from northern states and Canada.

But you don’t have to be an adventurer to appreciate the bird-watching riches Georgia has to offer. Maintaining a well-stocked feeding station in your backyard is a simple way to bring a touch of nature and beauty into your life.

Top Feeder Birds in Georgia

Outtakes / E+ / via Getty Images

1. Brown Thrasher

Georgia’s state bird gets its name from the sound it makes as it shuffles leaf litter to access the tasty insects nestled within. The male’s unique song and ability to mimic other birds make it one of the beloved birds of spring.

Northern Mockingbird Drferry / iStock / via Getty Images

2. Northern Mockingbird

The Northern Mockingbird is world-famous for its gorgeous songs — particularly its ability to incorporate other birdsong melodies and create its signature sound. They always come through with the perfect playlist for a languid southern evening in the garden.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet Mirceax / iStock / via Getty Images

3. Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Spring nesting season is the best time to keep your eyes open for the Ruby-crowned Kinglet. The male’s trademark red head striping pops out on display when they’re hard at work winning over the ladybirds and defending their territories.

Yellow-rumped Warbler Gerald Corsi / iStock / via Getty Images

4. Yellow-rumped Warbler

The Yellow-rumped Warbler’s handsome plumage features striking markings of black, gray, and canary yellow. They’re also a true friend of the gardener, as it devours insects and bugs of all kinds, including caterpillars, larvae, beetles, aphids, and grasshoppers.

Northern Cardinal Art Sublimina Photography / iStock / via Getty Images

5. Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal is a familiar favorite in the backyard that happens to have endearing spring courtship rituals worth watching for. The male sings, shows off his lustrous red plumage, and presents offerings of food to his prospective mate.

How to attract feeder birds in Georgia

Georgia is home to dozens of colorful bird species. That fact alone makes backyard birding an almost effortless hobby. Staying aware and curious about the outside world will go a long way in helping you deepen your knowledge and appreciation. Here are a few backyard tips.

Provide the basics

Along with keeping your feeders filled with a high-quality seed year-round, you’ll want to provide a source of fresh water to stay cool and hydrated on hot summer days.

Install a nesting box for the nuthatches

The biggest threat to the songbird population is habitat loss through urban development. You can be a friend to the birds by adding a backyard nesting box to accommodate cavity nesters, particularly the Brown-headed Nuthatch, along with woodpeckers and chickadees. These take the place of the dead and dying trees that are cleared away in developed areas, providing the soft wood that makes nesting holes possible for these species.

Provide bird-friendly landscaping

As you plan your spring garden, be sure to incorporate bird-friendly landscaping into your garden. Ornamental grasses, shrubs, and trees offer birds natural food sources, protection against predators as well as shade on steamy days. Here are a few to consider:

Vine tangles like wild grapes and coral honeysuckle provide Georgia’s state bird, the Brown Thrasher, the dense cover they prefer for nesting.
Berry-producing thickets, such as blueberries and raspberries, provide cover and a food source.
Native perennials like Solomon’s Seal, Coreopsis, and columbine provide food for songbirds in the autumn.

For more great ideas on bird-friendly landscaping in Georgia, check out this guide from Fernbank Science Center.

Top 40 feeder birds in Georgia

Here is a list of the top feeder birds in Georgia as identified by dozens of birders who participated in Project FeederWatch:

To attract the greatest variety of birds to your feeder, your best bet is a premium mix that keeps filler to a minimum but never skimps on nuts, black oil sunflower seeds, and other high-energy nuggets that birds love. Pick up a bag of Lyric Supreme Mix and enjoy the show!