Attracting Birds: Hopes and Truth

All of us with feeders have dream birds. We appreciate the species that visit, but we know there is that one or two more that we really wish we could add to the list. Mine include Orchard Orioles and Wood Thrushes. Eastern Bluebirds top many birdfeeder lists. So what does it take? We can try our darndest with basic food offerings and as much habitat adjustment as we can provide. Bluebirds, say, want good territory to hunt insects. So having enough "scruffy" vegetation, open spaces, and an edge will be needed to draw them in. My Oriole quest is in vain unless we get some fruit trees into my neighborhood which ain't gonna happen (I have way too much shade for that.) But even with the best attractants, it might not work out. Birds will seek out the best spots and do not distribute as evenly as, say, Squirrels. So what do we do? Appreciate what we have, make the place as attractive as we can, and sit back and enjoy the show. But we can always dream!