Feeding backyard birds in Alaska
Alaska sits in the Alaska feeder region. Extreme cold and short days: high-fat suet and sunflower hearts, feeders near cover, and bear-aware feeding in spring and summer. State bird: Willow Ptarmigan.
Which birds visit feeders in Alaska?
| Bird | Best food | Feeder | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chickadees | Black oil sunflower | Tube feeder | Year round; the first to find a new feeder |
| Redpolls | Nyjer (thistle) | Nyjer (finch) tube | Winter irruptions into the northern US |
| Pine Siskins | Nyjer (thistle) | Nyjer (finch) tube | Irregular winter visitors; some years in huge numbers |
| Nuthatches | Suet and suet dough | Suet cage | Year round |
| Juncos | White proso millet | Ground tray | Winter visitors across most of the US ("snowbirds") |
| Downy Woodpeckers | Suet and suet dough | Suet cage | Year round |
| Grosbeaks | Black oil sunflower | Hopper feeder | Rose-breasted in spring migration in the East; black-headed in the West; evening grosbeaks irrupt some winters |
| Native Sparrows | White proso millet | Ground tray | Year round, with more species in winter |
| Woodpeckers | Suet and suet dough | Tail-prop suet feeder | Year round; suet use peaks in cold weather |
| Purple Finches | Black oil sunflower | Tube feeder | Winter visitors in much of the East |
| Robins | Mealworms | Platform or tray feeder | Year round in much of the US; flocks move with fruit in winter |
| Hummingbirds | Nectar (sugar water) | Hummingbird feeder | Spring through early autumn in most of the US; year round on the Pacific coast and in parts of the Southwest |
Feeders that suit Alaska
Prices move constantly; the button shows the current figure.
What seed should you buy in Alaska?
- Black oil sunflower: the one seed to buy if you buy one. High oil content and a thin shell make it the widest-appeal seed there is. Most feeder birds in most of North America eat it.
- Nyjer (thistle): finch food for small-port feeders. Not related to thistle despite the name. Imported nyjer is heat-treated so it does not sprout. Needs a feeder with tiny ports or mesh or it pours out.
- Suet and suet dough: fat for insect eaters. Rendered suet cakes are the standard; no-melt doughs blend fat with flour or cornmeal to hold shape in heat.
- White proso millet: for ground-feeding birds. The best of the small grains, but also a favourite of non-native house sparrows and cowbirds. Offer it on a tray, not in a hanging feeder.
- Mealworms: the bluebird offer. Dried mealworms are easy to store; soaking them briefly in warm water makes them more appealing. Live worms work best for bluebirds.
What about hummingbirds and nest boxes?
Hummingbirds: Rufous Hummingbird in the southeast.
Nest boxes worth putting up: Black-capped Chickadee, Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Kestrel.
Bird feeding in other states
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Get the Alaska feeding calendar
What to put out through the year and when to clean, on one printable page.
Used only to send the checklist.Frequently asked questions
What birds come to feeders in Alaska?
Common feeder birds across the Alaska include chickadees, redpolls, pine siskins, nuthatches, juncos, downy woodpeckers and grosbeaks. Exact species vary with habitat and elevation, and winter brings visitors that do not breed locally. Project FeederWatch counts are the best guide to what a feeder in your part of Alaska will actually see.
What is the state bird of Alaska?
The official state bird of Alaska is the Willow Ptarmigan. It is not a typical feeder bird, but the setup on this page brings in the common backyard species of the state.
When should I put out hummingbird feeders in Alaska?
Rufous Hummingbird in the southeast Put feeders out about two weeks before the usual first arrivals in spring and leave them up until two weeks after the last visitor in autumn; keeping a feeder up late does not stop migration. Mix 1 part sugar to 4 parts water and change it on the temperature schedule.
How do I feed birds in Alaska in winter?
Extreme cold and short days: high-fat suet and sunflower hearts, feeders near cover, and bear-aware feeding in spring and summer. Keep feeders clean, since crowded winter feeders spread disease, and stock high-energy foods such as black oil sunflower and suet, with a heated bird bath for water when everything else is frozen.
Are there bird feeding restrictions in Alaska?
Some towns, HOAs and wildlife agencies restrict feeding where bears, deer or rodents are a problem, and black bears are present in parts of Alaska, so many agencies advise taking seed feeders down from spring to late autumn in bear country. Check your local rules and take feeders down during disease outbreak advisories.