Top 15 Tips to Attract Birds to Your Garden

Birds get attracted to any garden if they find that their basic needs like food, water, and shelter for survival are available there. While they look for a safe space to call their home, they may even try to socialize, make incredible bonds with their owners, and communicate on levels unrivaled by other species. Whether you have a small garden in a city or a beautiful lawn in the countryside, there are more ways than one to attract more birds. After all, a bird’s caped backyard can be an easy way to create an oasis in a desert of development where human activity has led to habitat loss and a decline in the bird population.

Humans have admired birds from ancient times. Just as Golden Eagles, doves, and ravens have been a part of history and cultures worldwide, images of cranes, falcons, geese, and parrots adorn the walls of Neolithic caves, Egyptian pyramids, Mayan temples, and American homes even today. Most of our hearts thrills at the sight of a bird visiting our garden as it inspires us with its form, colors, and musical calls. Endowed with a remarkable gift of flight, they are masters in experimenting with new surroundings, exploring, colonizing areas and habitats more efficiently.

You can get birds to come to you by making bird feeders and growing seed-producing plants in your yard that provide food and native plants as a place to hide and build nests. The water sources help for drinking and bathing purposes too. Birdscaping can be a rewarding experience for both humans and birds as it prioritizes the needs of birds by providing food, water, shelter, and nesting sites through landscaping and accessorizing. Birds provide an invaluable contribution to the ecosystem by getting rid of the weeds in your lawn, assisting with plant pollination and seed dispersal, controlling rodents, and eating pesky pests. Regardless of the climate, it is essential to plan your garden to resemble a natural habitat thoughtfully.

15 Proven Tips to Attract Birds to Your Backyard

Landscaping choices are generally made based on what looks good and is easy to maintain. However, one needs to consider how those choices can affect birds of different species so that they feel comfortable raising their little ones in your backyard. If you’re curious to know how to attract birds to your yard, the tips given below will surely help transform it into a bird-watching paradise.

1. Bird Feeding Station

A bird feeding station addresses the most basic need for survival – food. However, a feeding station with multiple feeder styles can cater to different food habits of diverse species of birds.

2. Natural Shelter

Birds need to feel safe on the nest that they build on trees and shrubs growing in your backyard as they offer a natural environment for their nesting. Local birds prefer native plant life as they give protection from predators. Birds use planting trees near the water source as hiding spots from predators lurking in the area. Adding a few logs and rocks can complement the plants and provide comfort for birds during the winter months.

3. Bird House

A birdhouse can provide a safe and reliable shelter. But as all birds may not like birdhouses, choose the size and type depending on the kind of birds you want to attract. In addition to the size of the house, the size of the entrance hole should be considered while attracting specific birds. It is also essential to install your birdhouse in a safe location in the yard to save it from predators.

4. Clean Water

Fresh, clean water is mandatory for bird health since contaminated Water can spread bird diseases. Feeder birds can fly up to the elevation of bird feeders, while a ground-level birdbath creates a pond-like appearance for the species that prefer feeding on the ground or low-hanging platform feeders. Empty, clean, and refill a shallow sloped water source every day. Water features and pumps can periodically filter, drain and clean your water source but make sure not to use cleaning chemicals that could be harming wildlife.

5. Bird Bath

Heated birdbaths or solar baths can be considered for colder months. Apart from a stationary birdbath, installing a mister, dripper, or circulating pump or even a more prominent feature, such as a waterfall or pond, can be beneficial in upgrading the landscape of your yard and attract more birds. Consider multiple water sources or several birdbaths to create a water environment that will appeal to different species.

6. Moving Water

Wild birds can be curious about the sound of moving water. So, a waterfall or water dripping installation can attract feeder birds and others that may not be regular visitors to your bird feeders. In this way, birds may view your bird-oriented pond as a natural extension of their surrounding environment and landscape.

7. Right Treats

You can entice birds by giving them a wide range of quality bird feed like nuts, berries, and seeds that meet their nutritional requirements. Smaller grains like nyjer or millet will attract nuthatches and finches. Suet cakes are an easily digestible high-energy food, especially for woodpeckers, chickadees, and wrens.

8. Location of the Feeder

Giving birds a place to rest, perch, and sit while eating is essential for attracting them to your yard. Feeders should be placed in a variety of areas to cater to their preferences. An over-exposed feeder may put off some birds. Feeders can be set off the ground or at a significant height so that birds don’t become prey for cats. Place feeders at least 3 to 4 feet apart for giving territorial birds the space that they need. Use baffles or other barriers to deter pests like squirrels from taking over your feeders.

9. Bright Colors

Colors help birds to attract a mate, hide from predators, and associate them with the foods they eat. So place artificial installments such as bird feeders and houses in the right colors and in the correct position in your garden to draw the birds’ attention. Growing naturally vibrant shrubs, native trees, and colorful flowering plants varieties can add a dash of color to your birdscape and attract flying birds from a distance.

10. Nesting

You can encourage nesting and attract birds to raise their family in your backyard by building birdhouses and providing implements like string, pet fur, hair, and yarn in a suet cage feeder that help in the construction of nests. Others may use natural offerings around your yard to build their home.

11. Perching Stick

Birds need a safe place to perch, preen, rest or gaze at the landscape. Natural structures like trees or bushes or installing a perching stick can help scan the area, assess danger, and decide about the safety of the feeder.

12. Squirrel Menace

Squirrels are a powerful and formidable menace in your yard as they attack the bird feeders for food. You can squirrel-proof your feeders by choosing from a variety of feeder designs that offer squirrel-proofing options.

13. Cleanliness of Feeders

Feeder maintenance is of utmost importance as birds will avoid a dirty or unclean bird feeder. So, clean it regularly to reduce the chance of spreading disease and parasites where birds congregate. Wet and moldy seeds can be repulsive to your feathered friends, so a clean feeder is vital for the safety and health of birds.

14. Right Plants

Local birds looking for food sources and appropriate shelter can be lured by visually appealing native plants, trees, shrubs, and flowers plants that they are most familiar with and needs minimal maintenance for you to grow them. You may seek expert opinion about the variety of plants that will not only grow well in the local climate. Select a mix of plants that will fulfill various needs and give you the best chance to attract maximum birds to your yard.

15. Roost Boxes

Roost boxes are a cozy place to seek shelter and escape the cold for wintering birds. More birds can fit together in a roost box, and they are designed to trap in heat.

Birds are relaxing to watch and help us to connect with nature. Experts believe that the company of birds can lift our spirits, improve well-being, reduce symptoms of depression, and prompt social interaction. Moreover, when people discover the wonder of birds, they often promote bird conservation. Thus, we must take the necessary steps to create a birdscape that will see flocks of colorful birds visiting our yard in no time.

Also Read:

Homemade Teacup Bird Feeder
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Bird Species to Choose as Your Companion