Place bird seed in an open location where predators, such as cats, can be readily seen by the birds. If you feed birds during the fall and winter months, you must continue to supply food until the spring arrives when the birds can find enough food in the wild. If you stop feeding them during the winter, the birds will become dependent on you and starve to death. Keep a regular supply of food available at all times, as birds like to nibble. Birds soon learn your regular feeding times and will show up on schedule.
Bird feeders can be elaborate, store-bought affairs or as simple as one made from a milk carton.
Some birds like to eat from the ground. Spreading seed on a piece of board will keep it dry. Once you start feeding birds, they will soon learn that there is food available in your back yard and all sorts of birds will start to visit.