Whenever you are trying to attract the greatest variety of birds, you should offer it on and above the ground.  The reason for this is some birds are reluctant to feed at a feeder some distance above the ground.

       Often the only ground feeding that takes place in our bird feeding areas consists of birds dining on seeds that have fallen from aerial feeders.  While birds eat these seeds, they often pose a threat unless you regularly remove them. The reason for this they quickly become a breeding ground for fungi and bacteria.

       The list of birds that prefer to dine offered in above ground feeders placed four or five feet above the ground includes finches, Carolina chickadees, woodpeckers, tufted titmice, and nuthatches.

       Some birds readily eat seeds both above and on the ground.  Examples of them are northern cardinals, blue jays, and chipping sparrows.

       A third group of birds are those that spend the majority of their time looking for seeds found on the ground.  The list of these feathered visitors includes white-throated, fox, and song sparrows, northern bobwhites, eastern towhees, mourning doves and dark-eyed juncos.

       Food offering for ground-feeders can be scattered directly on the ground on place in feeding trays or other devices that keep the seeds from being lost in the grass.  There are a number of such feeders on the market.  You can also use other devices as feeders.  One such device is a worn out harrow disc like the one shown in the photo accompanying this blog.

       One final note: one of the best seeds you can use to attract ground feeding birds is white millet.