How to Attract Birds to Your Garden
Watching birds flittering in your garden is always a delight. Attracting birds to your yard is really quite simple, just supply their three basic needs namely food, shelter and water. You will then have a bird oasis in your own backyard. But how to go about it?
Food
As winter approaches and the natural food supply for birds dwindles, birds become dependent on bird feeders for seeds and suet. For birds that are not strong enough to migrate due to injury or illness or because of some undeveloped natural migration cue, your feeder may be what enables them to live through winter. For birds that do not migrate, winter storms can bury their food supply. When you add to that the natural condition of reduced time for foraging due to shorter days, winter can be really hard for birds.
There are two ways to provide food; through bird feeders or by growing plants that offer fruits, seeds and a habitat that birds love. Black oil sunflower seed is the best seed to attract a diverse group of birds to your feeder, including chickadees, nuthatches, finches, cardinals, grosbeaks, sparrows, blackbirds and jays. To attract insect-eating birds such as woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches, offer suet. Ground feeding birds like juncos, sparrows, towhees and mourning doves prefer cracked corn scattered on the ground or placed in an elevated tray.
Plants to add to your landscape that birds love includes serviceberry, dogwood, fir, hawthorn, sweet gum, crabapple, pine, coralberry and fruit-bearing viburnums. Seed-producing flowers that will attract birds include aster, blanket flower, cone flower, sunflowers, black-eyed Susans, California poppies, goldenrod, marigolds, phlox, salvias and zinnias.
Place you feeder so that you can watch from a comfortable location. Woody plants with thorns, such as roses or hawthorn, are helpful to birds because they provide refuge from predators such as house cats. This can also help keep the feeders out of the rain and food dry. To prevent pests and diseases, keep your feeders clean. You can disinfect occasionally with one part chlorine bleach and nine parts lukewarm water and dry thoroughly before refilling. Once you start to provide food for birds, continue throughout the cold season. It’s best to provide only one type of food per feeder. Birds feeding at feeders with mixed seed discard the seeds they do not want while selecting their favorites. Do not feed birds spoiled leftovers, salty snack foods or sugary cereals.
Shelter
Shelter can be provided in many ways including birdhouses and nest boxes. Choosing a bird house will depend on your goal. Do you want a great looking garden ornament or are you looking to attract a certain type of bird? All birds have their own particular preferences. For example, robins will not nest in an enclosed box, while wrens and bluebirds are attracted to single unit, enclosed birdhouses. One other way to provide shelter is with the types of trees and shrubs in your yard. Face the entrance hole of the bird house to the north or east to prevent the birds from overheating if summers are hot in your area. Mount birdhouses on poles or posts rather than nailing them to trees or hanging them from limbs, making them less vulnerable to predators. Don’t put bird houses next to bird feeders and clean your bird houses yearly.
Water
While water is the least important of the three requirements, it can make a difference to the number of birds visiting your feeders. If birds must fly long distances to find water in the winter, they may choose to stay near their water source rather than coming back to your feeder. The easiest way to provide water is by maintaining your birdbath year round. This could mean filling the birdbath several times a day, which is not always practical. During winter, you can have your bird bath heated. Make sure that the wiring are perfect in order to prevent electrical shock. The heating element also should be covered in some way. If yours is uncovered, it would be good to place a piece of shale over the top to prevent any birds from burning their feet. In addition, birds will enjoy perching on the warm rock, especially the mourning doves.
Opus 71032 Topflight Copper Triple Tube Bird Feeder: This feeder has a heavy-duty acrylic and copper construction -allowing multiple birds to feed, but keeping squirrels out. Features include: a built-in seed funnel, an easy to remove, threaded squirrel and weather guard simplifies filling, extra large-10 pound seed capacity, a quick release seed tray, 12 feeding stations.
Strathwood Iron and Ribbed Glass Bird Feeder with Java Black Finish: Measuring 9-1/2 inches deep by 9-1/2 inches wide, the feeder stands 12 inches tall. Its lid unscrews from the top, allowing it to be easily filled with up to 90 ounces of bird feed. Designed to be rust resistant, the feeder is constructed of ribbed glass and durable iron with a java black finish. It is easily cleaned with soap and water. Feeding shelf surrounds the tube’s bottom, allowing several birds at once.
Brome 1024 Squirrel Buster Plus Wild Bird Feeder with Cardinal Perch Ring: Wild bird feeder with 6 feeding stations, adjustable perches, and optional cardinal perch ring. Green powder-coated aluminum; reservoir made of UV-stabilized polycarbonate plastic. 3-quart seed capacity; adjustable spring mechanism closes seed ports to deter squirrels. Unique seed ventilation system; easy to disassemble for cleaning; 6-inch hanger included. Measures 22 by 6-1/2 by 6-1/2 inches.
Heritage Farms 7533 Absolute Squirrel Proof Wild Bird Feeder: From Heritage Farms, inventive wild bird feeder keeps squirrels and large birds at bay. Crafted in durable steel with clear polycarbonate windows, feeder holds 2-1/2 gallons of birdseed; baffler and sloped seed chute enable steady food flow. Feeding ports close to large birds and critters using counterweight system; placement in sheltered southeast location for frequent visitors. Wash the bird feeder regularly with water and white vinegar; metal standing post and hanging hook are included. This item weighs 13 pounds upon shipping and is covered by a 5-year limited warranty; birdseed not included.
Perky Pet 337B Squirrel Be Gone III with Free Pair of Binoculars: Attracts more birds with 9 feeding stations. Separate 3 cavity design allows for a variety of different seed mixes. Rugged, heavy-duty construction. Huge 8-plus pound capacity. Adjustable spring tensioner for protection against smaller squirrels.
Garden Song Dine Around Window Bird Feeder: Features: Holds one quart of seed. Feeder base features unparalleled options in feeding. Base rotates between three indentations and three raised sections. Hinged lid of this feeder opens quickly for easy cleaning and filling. Clear plastictube keeps seed levels visible at all times. Double perches offer room for twice as many birds.
API 390 Water Rippling Bird Bath with Pedestal and Water Wiggler by Allied: Features: Prevent mosquite infestations while attracting birds to your yard. Comes complete with basin, pedestal, and an Allied Precision Water Wiggler. Dimensions: 20.25″L x 20.25″W x 27″H. Wiggler operates silently on two D batteries for up to two months of 24-hour use. Unique octagonal shaped basin with a gently twisting pedestal pillar. Crafted from resilient plastic and tested in sub-zero conditions to ensure that it will not crack. Batteries not included.
Gardman USA 280019 Wild Bird Feeding Station Kit: Everything required for a backyard feeding station. The decorative twin hook with finial will accommodate 2 hanging feeders, bird bath supporting ring and bird bath, small feeder hook, mesh seed tray, 3 section black power coated pole with a total height.
Backyard BasicsTM Bird Bath by Audubon Workshop: Be entertained for hours watching them drench their feathers and drink. This bird bath is made of an easy-to-clean resin material with speckled grey, faux-stone finish. Bowl has a raised center that allows birds to drink and play in both shallow and deeper areas. Attractive pillar form is hollow, allowing you to stabilize with sandbags or rocks. Easy to assemble two-piece design. Bath measures 23 1/2″ high and 19″ in diameter.
Glass Birdbath by Creative Motion Industries: Finally, a birdbath for either an early bird or a night owl! This 12″ diameter birdbath comes with a metal stand, and is ready to enhance your garden or patio! This glass birdbath is very special - the hand-blown glass absorbs solar energy during the day to produce remarkable glow-in-the-dark results at night! This birdbath could also be used as a bird feeder! A great housewarming gift, and the perfect accent to your garden.
Window Nest Box by Plow & Hearth: The whole family will get a bird’s eye view as wrens or chickadees raise their young in this birdhouse. Solid pine, with a clear plastic back that lets you observe the nest inconspicuously from inside your home. Two strong suction cups hold it securely on any window. USA. Size 6″ x 5″ x 8″H.
Audubon Cedar Bluebird House (7.25” x 9” x 13.5”): The Audubon Cedar Bluebird House is handcrafted with features such as an easy-open front cleaning, and proper ventilation and drainage. The 1-9/16” entrance hole is ornithologically correct for the Eastern Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird and Western Bluebird.
SohoDecor Garden Treasure Bird House - Butterly: Rustic and charming are only a few words to describe butterfly from our Garden Treasure Birdhouse. This birdhouse is constructed out of handpainted metal and wood. Place this house with its beaded wiring and watch your new neighbors move right in.
