Millions of wildlife lovers are lured by the beauty of birds, and many wonder how to choose the correct wild bird feeders and begin setting up their backyard aviaries. To maximize your birdwatching opportunities, the key to start is to envision what you really want to see and hear in your own backyard.

Develop an understanding of the types of birds you want to attract (and the ones you don’t want). If you’re a complete novice, you may want to ask neighbors and friends which types of birds they’ve managed to attract. Knowing you want to attract cardinals or finches, for example, will help you in choosing the right wild bird feeders, food and locations.

Wild bird feeders come in several structural types including tube, thistle, wood, platform, suet and ground varieties. Highly desirable species, such as the hummingbird, even have special types of feeders that have been crafted for them. Knowledge of the pros and cons of each type will bolster success and increase desired results.