How to Attract RARE Birds to YOUR Backyard!

Backyard bird feeding can fun, especially if you're seeing new species come to your yard for the first time. Here are some tips on how to attract and spot rare birds in your backyard!
Gear Links (As Amazon Associates we do earn from qualifying purchases)
Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera
Used for most bird videos) - check credits as we do source some photos/videos elsewhere which is noted in the description
amzn.to/3GZl3Mu
Cayer FP2450 Fluid Head Tripod, 75 inches Aluminium Tripod
Derek's lighter tripod
amzn.to/3suX5CK
Andoer Video Tripod Aluminum Alloy 67 Inch
Derek's heavier tripod
amzn.to/3uRLTTk
Nikon D5300
Derek's vlogging and macro camera
amzn.to/3HF8jeh
Rode VideoMicPro Compact Directional On-Camera Microphone
Derek's external microphone for Nikon D5300
amzn.to/3oH8YnS
Connect with us!
badgerlandbird...
/ badgerlandbirding
/ badgerlandbirding
/ badgerlandbirding \
Thanks to Terry Sohl for allowing us to use his range maps
www.sdakotabir...
Western Tanager in cover image and slides by Kari Cieszkiewicz (Public Domain, edited)
Background photo in slides by amidfallenleaves (Public domain, edited)
All other photos and videos by Derek and Ryan Sallmann
#Birding #BirdWatching #BadgerlandBirding

[@mmps18]

Backyard birding is such a joy in my life! We get so many native types even though we're in the suburbs.

[@Chris_Wolfgram]

I spend a LOT of time near our feeders (3 seed, and 11 nectar) I have a little portable blind, that I move around yard, allowing me to get as close as I need, even with spookier species. One bird which is kind of rare in my area is White Throated Sparrow. We have 1 which has apparently been coming to our back yard for at least two years :) I've gotten some great shots of him. The back yard birds are also fantastic for testing new camera gear, or different camera settings. This has helped me a LOT, by the time I get out in the field :) One might think with the birds only being 50 ft from the house, that I'd never be late "getting home" :) lol .... but in reality, I often tell my GF, I'm going to go play with the birds, for an hour, but before I know it, it's been 2hrs... or 3, and I'm still late :) lol

[@DepressedBirder]

Always great to see another badgerland video. Thanks for helping more people enjoy connecting to the nature around us.

[@oldairyheir]

My typical winter birds are House Sparrows and Finches, Nuthatches, Chickadees, Juncos, Cardinals, and Woodpeckers (Downy, Hairy, and Red-bellied). Last Winter I just happened to be watching the sparrows feeding on the ground when I noticed one that didn't quite look like the others. I got a couple pictures good enough to ID it, and much to my surprise, found out it was a Harris's Sparrow! First one I had seen in years!

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Great bird and that’s exactly the way to find a rare one in your yard!

[@titanofserpents4315]

I remember that at my Grandma's house for two summers in a row I believe, we had turkey vultures that would perch on this big tree in her backyard. They haven't come back since.

[@user-qw5pm6lr9d]

I recently saw a white-winged dove on the back porch with the mourning doves eating birdseed.

[@bluekatgal7300]

This spring have Western Tanager males and female. May never see them again but what a joy. When we walk around neighborhood also see them by pine trees at another home. Also saw 4 males and one female in a neighbors tree using binoculars. My granddaughter took a pic of them. They seem to like our water and bark butter. Also put out an orange to attract. Live in desert southwest city. Thx for all the people who share their experiences.

[@nicolebeckus113]

I hope to get redpolls. I have a nijer feeder and some pine trees.

[@K.R.B.]

The Merlin sound app usually tells me it hears particular birds before I can see them. It was displaying "Magnolia Warbler" for a couple of minutes last May while I was in a relative's backyard before I finally saw it flitting around in a tree, the only time I've seen one of those so far.

[@dianaaskme]

Had a white Robin visit for a couple of weeks Incredibly smart birds. 😍

[@lindap9079]

Every time I chase after a rare bird that frequents another birder's feeders, I long for the day I can host not only a rare bird but the birders who want to see it. I have a great observation area where people could watch my feeders without any disturbance to the birds.

[@Shrock568]

I had a Cape May Warbler in my yard last spring.

[@stefangoldensteinwildlife9929]

Hey. Wonderfull video with great infos. I try to feed different sorts of seeds in different Spots and heights. Greets Stefan

[@jurassic_hobbyonmyaltaccou3878]

My first lifer for this year were some redwings yesterday!

[@Beryllahawk]

Do your research, apply science, and enjoy whichever birds visit you, hehe!! Great advice

[@coldspring624]

Excellent advice.

[@WarblerRidge]

One more important tip - don’t use pesticides. One of the best bird foods you can provide is a variety of natural-occurring insects and that won’t happen if you’re using pesticides on your yard or in the garden. A buggy yard tends to be a birdy yard. And insects are necessary for the majority of songbirds to have a successful nesting season. For me, proving habitat to support a variety of bird during breeding season is more satisfying than trying to lure in a rarity. No rarities here but had over 80 different species visit my yard in 2023 and got 70 of them on video 😊

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Good point!

[@evtheencyclopedia8945]

We had a white-winged dove turn up at our feeders last spring. Not a bird I expected to see in far northern Minnesota.

[@dafnimbus]

I have seen 182 species of birds in my life list.

[@thatsmyjam6065]

Well done!

[@FauquierCountyBiridngYT]

Cool

[@antlerking69]

Nice

[@Jaybird-i1t]

Please put names of birds in videos. That would be helpful to identify. ❤

[@BadgerlandBirding]

We normally do if it's pertinent to the video. In this one it's more about the tips, not the species themselves, but we'll definitely keep in mind that people appreciate the names!

[@ickgtib]

i have a park near my house and I live in an apartment, is there anything i can still do (well besides feeders which can be ruined by other people)?

[@APoorFellow]

I live in the U.S and I see a hycaninth macaw on my feeder everyday.This rare?

[@contraleadsinger]

But what about the species in the thumbnail? We had one of those in our tree and I wanted to know what it was…

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Western Tanager

[@user-gw4sk1vk9c]

Brave designer 51

[@pauraque]

You want rare birds eh? Step 1: live on the farallon islands Step 2: commit to step one

[@BadgerlandBirding]

You committing?

[@pauraque]

@@BadgerlandBirding My friend did and got Small-billed Elaenia on the porch, so maybe...

[@Hoodiegoose11]

First!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@BadgerlandBirding]

🥇