Michigan Bird Watching and Feeding Information

Michigan is a great place to watch and feed birds. Birdbaths, misters and drippers are especially effective in attracting birds, including non seed-eating species.

Species that might be expected at feeders include: American Goldfinch, Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal, Wood Thrush and Mourning Dove. Each of these species is shown in the Nifty Fifty mini-guide.

The Nifty Fifty

The Nifty Fifty is a mini-guide to the birds of Michigan. It includes descriptions, images, video and songs of 50 of the most often observed birds of Michigan. View the guide by clicking here or on the Nifty Fifty link on the left.

If the guide does not load, try downloading the free Flash player.

American Robin - Michigan State Bird

Bird feeding

Developing bird-friendly habitat in your yard is the best way to attract a greater variety of species and to support local and migrating species. Native plants provide food and cover, are more insect and disease resistant than non-native species, and may require less water. A list of bird-friendly native plants for Michigan are available by following the link on the left.

Bluebirds

The eastern bluebird is a summer (nesting) resident in Michigan.

The Eastern Bluebird has a pleasant, musical song and a similar easy-to-identify flight call. They are most often found in open woodlands, parks, fields, along golf courses and cemeteries. The can be found in suburban areas with adequate open space.

Eastern Bluebirds
 

Bluebirds can be attracted to peanut butter mixes, suet and fruit. Raisins soaked in hot water to soften them are well received. The bluebird's special favorite is mealworms.

Nesting
In Michigan, nesting commences in early spring and continues well into the summer. One or two broods may be produced each year.

Visit the bluebird section for detailed information on feeding bluebirds or building your own bluebird house.

Hummingbirds

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species that regularly visits Michigan. It nests in the state each year, before migrating south. It flies across the Gulf of Mexico twice each year.

Visit the hummingbird section for details on attracting hummingbirds as well as images of all regularly occurring North American hummingbirds.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, male 

Purple Martins

Purple Martins arrive in Michigan in late spring, returning from their wintering grounds in South America. Check the Purple Martin section for information on martins in Michigan.

Detailed Purple Martin information is available in the Purple Martin section.

Purple Martin, male 

Birding

Michigan provides birders with a variety of exciting birding locations.

The birding section of this site has tips on birding locations and bird identification. The state-based birding information section provides additional birding related information.

Michigan Resource Information

Additional resources

If you have suggestions for additional resources for watching or feeding birds in Alabama, please submit them using this form. The resource does not need to be a particular location.

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