National Wildlife Week

Chickadee is one of my favorite words to say. Chickadee, chickadee, chickadee! So I know these birds (along with woodpeckers, goldfinches, thrushes, bluebirds, and wrens) like peanut butter suet . . . the problem, what in the heck is suet?! After consulting a dear friend (read: google), I learned that it's raw beef or sheep fat. I eat neither beef, nor sheep, so I was at a standstill about where to find such a thing – and whether or not I'd even want to touch it.

Imagine my delight when I found a recipe for peanut butter suet – sounds a lot less scary, and OMG, I've got tons of PB. To see how to make this treat in plastic containers, little balls, or even rolled in wire mesh for birds to come pecking, read more

There are many birdies that like fruit . . . and not just smoothies! To offer up this treat in your backyard choose a feeder with spikes for actual fruit, trays for jelly and, if you're brave with the squirmies, a spot for mealworms. I like this feeder ($24.95) because once again you can see feathered friends from any treeless home — all you need is a window!

To find out which fruit to use – and who will come to dinner – when you read more

If you offer sweet sips of nectar, they will come! Hummingbirds usually move too quickly for a solid look but, as a child, they were a fave at our nectar feeder . . . essentially the only time they were still enough for me to get a good glimpse. Now I'll bet not only hummingbirds and other syrupy lovers will adore the design of this Dew Drop Feeder ($34.99), you will too. Each one is hand-blown of beautiful, recycled glass in Mexico and comes in red, blue, or green. Just add water to a "nectar" mix like Nectar Magic ($4.49 for three) or Ultimate Blend Hummingbird Nectar ($5.99 for a two-pound bag) and find out which feathery friends may stop by when you read more

We're still feeding the birds here on PetSugar and it's now onto the thistle treats. I love this feeder ($21) because the prickly seeds are popular with many lovely songbirds that are welcome to chirp at my windowsill anytime! Some of the pricier foods, thistle runs about $16 for five pounds but, trust me, it's worth it – see who'll come to feed when you read more

Although there are many types of sunflower seeds, black oil sunflower seeds ($4.99 for five pounds) are the most popular for wild birds. These are a great source of high quality protein and oil during cooler months that (unfortunately) don't immediately end on the first day of Spring. Just add them to a pretty tube feeder like this one ($41) or use a flexible alternative that attaches right to a window! I'm sure even your kitties would love it . . . but likely scare the birdies away by their peeking.

By themselves, the black oil sunflower seeds will attract goldfinches, chickadees, woodpeckers, nuthatches, titmice, redpolls, and pine siskins. The soft outer shell makes them easy for smaller wild birds to nibble – by adding a tray to the tube feeder, you'll attract a different set of flutters. Find out and read more

As much as North and I love peanut butter, the real thing, not so much. Still, peanuts aren't just for the lil critters, many wild birds enjoy them, too! You can pick up a bag of unsalted shelled or unshelled peanuts at any local store and add them to a feeder in your backyard to call out a bunch of new flutterers.

To see what kind of birds this nut-filled tube feeder attracts, read more

I only wish I had a tree (or backyard) to tempt many birds to come for a visit. Even North loves watching things fly by! For those lucky suburban or rural dwellers, this ecotastic twofer is completely made up of reused materials! The unique Recycled Birdfeeders ($49) are tray-hanging, platform feeders constructed with recycled parts from birdhouses and leftover asphalt roof shingles.

Simply adding corn to a platform feeder like this one will attract a different group of birds than our millet version — if you're curious why (and who) read more

I'm kicking off a Feed the birds extravaganza! I've only got one pet in my family, but it's fun to pretend the birds that come visit my windowsill are like my pets, too. Each day for the next two weeks, I'll share a new feeder and seed combo – and share what kind of feathery friends will likely stop by for a snack!

Start out with a tray feeder like this sleek Eva Solo Bird Table ($154.99) and add some millet. Millet is lower in fat than other seeds and very nutritious with high levels of proteins, carbohydrates, B-complex vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in addition to a host of other important nutrients. Because it's very appealing to many bird species, switch it up and add some white millet ($5.99 for five pounds) and red millet ($8.99 for five pounds). To see what kind of birds you'll likely attract with this combo, read more