When spring arrives, many people stop filling the bird feeders that kept birds coming to their backyards during the winter months, when food is scarce. However, birds can benefit from bird feeders during the spring and summer months as well.

“It helps to continue to offer the calories so the birds aren't struggling to find food just when they are molting their feathers and getting ready to start breeding,” said Peggy Doty, extension educator with the University of Illinois Extension. “Also, those who had migrated will be more successful after being trimmed out from the flight back.”

More than 100 North American bird species supplement their natural diets with birdseed, suet, fruit and nectar obtained from feeders, according the National Audubon Society’s website. Additional species visit feeders during the spring and fall migrations and during summer, while nesting.