If you’ve ever sat on your porch and thought, Wow, my yard is basically an episode of Real Housewives but with feathers, then congratulations: you’re already halfway to becoming a bird-watcher.
Bird-watching is one of those hobbies that sneaks up on you. At first, you’re just vaguely aware that a cardinal is hanging out near your mailbox. Then suddenly, you’re watching a blue jay throw down with a cardinal and texting your family with the video evidence.
It’s fun, it’s surprisingly relaxing, it’s a great activity to do with kids, and you don’t need much to start. But if you want the best seat in the house for all the soap-opera-worthy bird drama, here are the supplies that elevate the game. This post contains some affiliate links, thanks for your support!
Birdfy 2 Smart Bird Feeder
This is the final boss of bird feeders. Not only does it attract birds, but it also records them, so you can catch the action in the app on your phone. Birdfy even integrates AI for bird identification, so you’ll actually know if that was a goldfinch or just a bossy sparrow in a yellow outfit.
Tall Pole for Birdfy
Important lesson learned early on in my life in the suburbs: deer think bird feeders are personal buffets. I grabbed the tallest pole I could find, and now the feeder is finally out of reach. Birds only, deer. Sorry, not sorry.
Squirrel Defeater
To quote Carrie Bradshaw, a squirrel is just a rat with a cuter outfit. I’m not a fan, especially when they’re draining my feeder like it’s a bottomless mimosa brunch. This keeps them off and leaves the good stuff for the birds.
Hummingbird Feeder
Hummingbirds are basically the celebrities of my backyard. This feeder is my favorite because it’s easy to clean and doesn’t attract bees. I hang mine where I can see it from a window. I never get tired of watching those little hover-machines fight it out for sugar water.
Pole for Hummingbird Feeder
Hummingbirds can be divas about their space. This pole lets you place the feeder away from the most structures, which keeps them coming back instead of pulling a disappearing act.
Yankee Flipper Bird Feeder
If you want a little backyard comedy, this one’s for you. It’s a squirrel-proof feeder that literally flips them off when they try to sneak a snack. Bonus: it’s still a great feeder for the birds.
Sunflower Seeds (Hulled)
After some experimentation, hulled seeds are the way to go. No shells mean no mess under the feeder. Plus, the birds seem to prefer them, and I want nothing more than to keep the locals happy.
Merlin Bird ID App
This app is free and ridiculously fun. You can hold up your phone anywhere you go, and it identifies birds by their songs. My kid and I love using it together. It’s like Pokémon Go, but with actual wildlife.
Fun for the Whole Family
Bird-watching is one of those rare hobbies that’s both peaceful and entertaining. There’s always new drama to see! It’s family-friendly, screen-free, and makes your own backyard feel like a live nature channel.
So grab a feeder, download an app, and get ready for the drama. Because these birds are already auditioning for their reality TV debut.
Curated, Kinda 
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