Summer time is when migrating, tropical songbirds with vibrant colors head our way to North America. These gorgeous birds with sweet songs will grace your backyard if offerings are right. A birdbath is a must, as a fresh water source will attract more species any time of year. Most fruit bird feeders are versatile enough to use year round, by placing suet balls on them in winter. Nectar feeders, sans the lid may be filled with seed mixes, suet or mealworms in winter too. Some fruit feeders accommodate nectar and jelly, or nectar and fruit to entice a wider variety of birds.

And Orioles aren’t the only birds who enjoy fruit. Woodpeckers are attracted to apples and melon, while hummingbirds covet their nectar feeders. You’ll also attract Catbirds, Flickers, Cactus Wrens and even Chickadees by having fruit or jelly feeders in your yard. Butterflies enjoy fruit as well, a bit over ripe-but definitely not moldy. Try bananas, oranges, berries and melon to entice butterflies too. Many of the new fruit bird feeders are made of recycled plastics, with a much longer lifespan, they’re guaranteed to never crack, split or fade. So, before summer passes you by, place one of these versatile feeders in the garden and see who comes around to visit!