The struggle is mainly about food -- different types of seeds -- and the availability ... survive favored the larger birds with deep, strong beaks for opening the hard seeds.

The tough hull splits in two and the meat disappears into its mouth. Not all birds of this beak type eat large seeds, though. The American goldfinch, for example, loves thistle, or Nyjer.

To get the most out of this bird feeder and attract a diverse range of birds, consider these tips: Offer a Variety of Foods: Seeds should be fed to birds with different beak types, while suet and ...