There are a variety of seeds and foods that attract birds. The development of black oil sunflower seeds revolutionized bird feeding. It is the single favorite and most nutritious food for birds. Adding specialty foods to feeders will attract even a wider variety of birds. In the summer, for example, sugar water attracts hummingbirds.
Fruit brings northern orioles, waxwings, blue jays, and thrashers.
Meal worms can lure in bluebirds. In the spring and fall, thistle seed will attract the Harris' sparrow and red-breasted nuthatch. A mixture of black sunflower and thistle attracts evening grosbeaks, red polls, and pine siskens during the winter. Niger thistle attracts purple, house, and goldfinches all year long. Suet will be utilized regularly by woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees.