Birds Bring Life, Color and Beauty to Any Outdoor Space.
Whether you got a huge backyard or a tiny garden, attracting birds can make your yard more enjoyable , while also doing a world of good for local wildlife. Loads of bird species are always on the lookout for safe places to chow down, grab a drink, build a nest, and get some rest. By providing the basics, you can turn your yard into a bird-friendly haven.
If youre wondering how to attract birds, the good news is that you dont need to break the bank or call in the experts. A few tiny tweaks can make a big difference.
Why Attract Birds to Your Yard?
Birds do loads more than just put on a show. They play a big role in the environment and can benefit your garden in all sorts of ways.
Some of the benefits of attracting birds include:
- A natural pest control
- Helping with pollination
- Spreading seeds around
- A more lively and beautiful outdoor space
- Plenty of opportunities for birdwatching and photography
Creating a welcoming environment for birds also helps support local ecosystems and wildlife populations.
Provide the Right Food
Food is one of the main reasons birds come to your yard. Different bird species like different foods, so offering a variety can attract loads of different types of birds.
Use Bird Feeders
Bird feeders are a super easy way to attract birds. Just chuck them in a visible spot where birds feel safe from predators.
Popular feeder foods include:
- Black oil sunflower seeds – a favourite of cardinals, chickadees and finches
- Nyjer seeds
- Safflower seeds
- Cracked corn
- Mixed birdseed
Sunflower seeds are especially popular because they attract loads of common backyard birds.
Offer Suet in the Winter
Suet is a high-energy food made from animal fat, and it comes in really handy during the winter when natural food sources are scarce.
Woodpeckers, wrens and nuthatches are often drawn to suet feeders.
Add Nectar Feeders for Hummingbirds
If you want to attract some hummingbirds, consider getting a nectar feeder. Just fill it up with a simple sugar-water solution and give it a good clean regularly to stop any mould or bacteria from building up.
Provide Fresh Water
Birds need water not just for drinking but also for taking baths and preening their feathers.
Install a Bird Bath
A bird bath can quickly become the most popular feature in your yard. Choose a shallow one with a rough surface so birds can get a good foothold. Keep the water:
- clean
- fresh
- shallow
- available year-round if possible
Consider a Moving Water Feature
Birds are naturally drawn to the sound of moving water. A small fountain, dripper or water wiggler can make your bird bath even more appealing.
Moving water also helps keep the mosquito population under control during the warmer months.
Plant Native Trees and Shrubs
One of the best ways to attract birds is by planting native plants.
Native plants provide:
- food sources
- nesting areas
- shelter from predators
- protection from bad weather
Trees and shrubs that produce berries in particular are a hit with many bird species.
Some examples of bird-friendly native plants may include:
- Serviceberry
- Dogwood
- Elderberry
- Oak trees
- Native grasses
The best native plants depend on where you live in the United States.
Create Safe Shelter
Birds need places to rest, hide and escape from predators.
Leave the Natural Stuff in Place
Dense shrubs, bushes and trees provide important shelter. Birds tend to avoid open spaces where they feel exposed.
If you leave a bit of your yard to grow untamed, you can encourage loads of bird activity.
Add Birdhouses
Birdhouses can provide nesting opportunities for birds that lay eggs in cavities.
When installing a birdhouse:
- put it in a safe spot away from foot traffic
- make sure youve got the right size entrance hole
- clean it after the nesting season
- position it at the right height
Different bird species require different birdhouse designs.
Reduce the Pesticide Use
Many birds feed on insects. Overusing pesticides can cut down on their food supply and expose birds to nasty chemicals.
Instead of relying on pesticides:
- use natural pest control methods
- encourage beneficial insects
- keep your soil healthy
- plant all sorts of different plants
A healthier ecosystem usually attracts more birds.
Keep Cats Indoors
Domestic cats are one of the biggest threats to backyard birds.
Even if your cats are well-fed they can still go chasing after birds out of instinct.
To keep birds safe:
- keep your cats indoors
- supervise when theyre outdoors
- dont place your bird feeders near cat hideouts
By protecting your birds from predators, you increase the chances of them coming back to your yard.
Offer Up Some Nesting Stuff
During the nesting season, birds are on the lookout for materials to build their nests.
You can help by providing:
- small twigs
- dry grass
- pine needles
- natural plant fibres
Avoid giving them synthetic materials or anything that could get tangled around their necks.Birds may not be drawn to your feeders, water sources or birdhouses right off the bat. could be a week or two – even longer – before you start seeing some regulars.
Consistency is king.
So to keep things going you should:
- make sure those feeders are filled
- keep those bird baths looking sparkling clean
- give your plants some love
- make sure your yard is still a safe place for them to hang out.
Over time the birds will get the message that your yard’s got their backs when it comes to food and water.
Common Mistakes to Steer Clear of
Don’t even think about neglecting your feeder cleaning
Dirty feeders can spread diseases to the birds
Clean ’em out regularly with some warm water and a bit of soap
Don’t skimp on the good stuff either
Cheap seed mixes are just filled with stuff that most birds will ignore
Spring for the good quality birdseed and see the difference for yourself
and don’t forget fresh water
Food isn’t enough on it’s own , water is right up there with the bird feeders in terms of importance
And stop stripping that yard of all it’s natural veggie goodness
A yard that looks like a golf course might look nice to some folks but for birds its basically useless
Some natural cover is good for business
Which Birds Are Gonna Show Up in Your Yard?
Well it depends on where in the usa you live but you might be seeing:
- Cardinals
- Blue jays
- Chickadees
- Goldfinches
- Robins
- Mourning doves
- Woodpeckers
- Hummingbirds
- Wrens
- Sparrows
it’ll all depend on the local climate , time of year and the state of the habitat.
Conclusion
Keeping birds around is pretty simple as long as you understand that all they really need is a little food , a little water , a safe place to roost and some shelter to call their own.
Provide with some feeders, a clean water source, a few native plants and a place to nest and you’ve got yourself a bird-friendly yard that will be swarming with local wildlife all year long.
And the best part is that even the smallest changes can make a big difference. Just be patient and stick to the plan and before long your yard will have become the go-to place for all sorts of beautiful birds.