If you live near the mountains, you already know the kind of company you get. Crisp air, pine trees busy dancing in the breeze, and a soundtrack made up of nature’s own melodies. Among those melodies, the cheerful chirps and calls of birds stand out. There is something truly special about spotting a feathered friend perched just outside your window, especially when they stop by your feeder. Who are these visitors? What can you do to entice more of them? Pull up a chair; let us chat about the mountain region birds that might be popping in for a snack, and how you can roll out the red carpet with some easy DIY feeders that will have them coming back for more.
Why Backyard Birdwatching Rocks in Mountain Regions
Mountains are nature’s skyscrapers—vertical worlds where life finds unique ways to thrive. That means the birds here are a bit different from the usual backyard crowd in the flatlands. You might glimpse a spotted towhee banging around the shrubs or hear the haunting whistle of a juncos somewhere in the undergrowth. These birds are tougher, smarter, and sometimes downright quirky.
Watching birds in your own backyard is like getting VIP access to a secret world. It gives you a daily reminder that nature is alive and well, right outside your door. Plus, it is great for calming the mind after a long day. It is a small, satisfying ritual — and when you know who is visiting your feeder, it adds a whole new layer of joy.
Mountain Birds You Might See Hanging Around Your Feeder
Different birds have different tastes and personalities. Some are bold and bossy, grabbing seeds before anyone else can blink. Others are shy and prefer nibbling away in peace. Mountain birds often have bright colors or surprising calls that make them stand out.
1. The Steller’s Jay
Look for a bird dressed in blue and black, almost like it is wearing a punk rock jacket. This is the Steller’s Jay—mountain-dwelling cousin of the blue jay found in other regions. Steller’s Jays are bold, curious, and a little bit cheeky. They do not just come for seeds; they are smart birds that might test out your feeder’s design or even steal small snacks off your picnic table.
Steller’s Jays love sunflower seeds and peanuts. If you want to make them feel special, hang a feeder with plenty of black oil sunflower seeds and some shelled peanuts. They are also known to enjoy berry bushes, so if you have any native shrubs like elderberries or serviceberries, that is a perfect combo.
2. Dark-eyed Junco
If you see little birds with gray bodies and white bellies hopping around, you might have juncos visiting your yard. These birds have a sweet personality and are a favorite among beginners in birdwatching. They tend to prefer hanging out on the ground, picking up fallen seeds.
Juncos like millet and cracked corn best. For a DIY feeder, scatter some of these on a flat tray feeder or directly on the ground near shrubs where they can hide. They are shy, so placing feeders with some cover nearby helps them feel safe.
3. Mountain Chickadee
With a black cap and bib, and white cheeks, the mountain chickadee is a tiny ball of curiosity. These birds are frequent visitors to feeders and love suet cakes and sunflower seeds. They move fast and are fun to watch as they chatter and flit about.
One thing about chickadees is they like to stash food away. They are basically little hoarders. So, a suet feeder or a simple platform feeder works great for them. If you build a suet block with peanut butter, oats, and seeds, expect these guys to become regulars.
4. Red Crossbill
Not your everyday bird, the red crossbill gets its name from its unique crossed bill tips, which it uses to pry open pine cones. You might spot them in pine forests munching on the cones, but they also swing by feeders when food is scarce.
To attract red crossbills, consider offering sunflower seeds or thistle feeders. They are not picky but do appreciate a good pine tree or two nearby for snack breaks.
5. Pine Siskin
These petite finches are a bit striped, somewhat scruffy looking but full of personality. They love nyjer/thistle seed and sunflowers. Pine siskins often visit in flocks, so once they find your feeder, it may become quite the lively party.
Try a tube feeder with nyjer seed, and you might get a whole crowd showing up.
DIY Feeders That Will Make These Birds Feel at Home
Feeding birds in the mountains means dealing with snow, wind, and sometimes tougher conditions than your urban backyard. The right feeder can mean the difference between a few visitors and a full-on feathered festival.
Simple Tray Feeder
Sometimes simple is beautiful. A flat tray feeder is easy to build from a shallow wooden box or a plastic tray with edges. Set it up on a post or hang it from a tree branch. Because many mountain birds like to feed on the ground or in low shrubs, a tray feeder is easy to access.
- Materials: Wooden box or plastic tray, sturdy string or hook, weather-resistant paint (optional)
- Fill with: Sunflower seeds, millet, cracked corn
This feeder works well for juncos and chickadees who like to feed quietly.
Suet Feeder
Suet is basically bird candy—fat and energy in a compact form. During colder months, suet feeders are a lifesaver because birds need extra calories to stay warm.
- Materials: Suet feeder cage (can be bought or made using wire mesh), suet cake (DIY with rendered beef fat mixed with seeds and peanut butter)
Hang it from a tree near shrubs where chickadees and woodpeckers can find it. Watching birds cling upside down to eat suet is like watching tiny acrobats perform.
Pine Cone Feeder
Want to get crafty? Grab a pine cone, smear it with peanut butter or suet, then roll it in birdseed. Tie a string around it and hang it outside. The texture of the pine cone gives birds a natural grip, and it is a great way to recycle what nature drops in your yard.
This feeder works particularly well for mountain chickadees, nuthatches, and even roomy jays.
Tube Feeder for Thistle Seed
Small finches love nyjer, a tiny black seed that fits perfectly in tube feeders. If you want to attract siskins or even goldfinches, a simple tube feeder stocked with nyjer will do the trick.
- Tip: Use a feeder with small ports so the tiny seeds do not spill out too quickly.
Tips to Make Your Mountain Backyard Irresistible to Birds
It is not just about the feeder. Birds want safety, comfort, and some peace and quiet.
1. Plant Native Shrubs and Trees
A bird feeder is just part of the story. Trees and bushes provide shelter, places to hide from predators, and spots to rest. Native plants are best because the birds around your area have evolved to rely on them.
Think about planting serviceberry, elderberry, or mountain ash if they suit your climate. Not only do they feed birds, but they also make your yard look alive and colorful.
2. Keep Feeders Clean and Fresh
Birds can get sick from moldy seeds or dirty feeders. Wash your feeders regularly with hot soapy water to keep everyone healthy and happy. It is a chore, but worth the effort.
3. Offer Water
Fresh water draws birds like nothing else. Whether it is a birdbath, a small pond, or even a shallow bowl, make sure the water is clean and not frozen solid in winter.
4. Vary Food Types Seasonally
Bird tastes change with the seasons. During winter, energy-rich seeds and suet are lifesavers. In warmer months, try adding fruits and mealworms for protein. Watching the variety of visitors shift with the seasons is part of the fun.
Enjoy the Unexpected Moments
Feeding birds is a little like making friends with nature’s shyest neighbors. Sometimes you will get a steady stream of visitors, and other times you will wait a long while before the next visitor drops by. But when that brilliant Steller’s Jay swoops in or a flock of tiny siskins chatters in the treetops, your patience pays off.
Remember, it is not only about the birds eating. It is about those moments of wonder, the surprise of spotting a new species, the quiet satisfaction of making your world a little friendlier for these feathered travelers. Your mountain backyard is a mini bird sanctuary, alive with stories and songs.
So, next time you refill your feeder, look around carefully and ask yourself: who is visiting today? You just might find that the mountain birds have made themselves right at home.