Be sure to check the FAQs at the bottom of the post for more tips and answers for Attracting Birds to Your Yard.
If you are trying to attract birds to your backyard, but wondering where to start. Look no further! We have decided to put together some easy tips for attracting birds to your backyard that anyone can put in motion. No need to have a massive yard or hundreds of acres. Even with a smaller outdoor space, you can get the birds to land where you are!
The most important thing to remember, when working on attracting birds to your backyard is that birds will go where their basic needs can be met. Make sure your yard is welcoming and offers birds the things that they need and you will have them visiting in no time. These basic needs include; food, shelter, and water. Isn't that what we all need?! Okay, so they do need a little more than that, but those are the most important factors. If you don't have that, they will not come. They need a safe, comfortable space where they can be social with their own feathered friends to truly feel at home. If you can provide all of these things, you will have the perfect space for attracting birds.
Easy Tips for Attracting Birds to Your Backyard
Attracting birds to your backyard can be a fun and rewarding experience. Here are some tips on how to attract birds to your backyard:
Provide Food
Birds need a reliable source of food for attracting birds to your backyard regularly. You can provide food by setting up bird feeders with seeds, suet, or nectar. Different birds have different food preferences, so research which types of birds you want to attract and provide the appropriate food. Any backyard bird feeders will work for this, but the feeders you choose will be dependent on the birds you want to attract.
Provide Feeding Stations
A great way to provide food for wild birds is by creating a "bird feeding station." A bird feeding station is a good idea because it's a great way to feed multiple types of birds in one place! No need to exclude any one type of bird, because in your feeding station, you will offer several types of feeders to attract them all. Birds have different preferences for the way that they eat so this is necessary if you want to attract more than one type of bird into your outdoor space. For instance, juncos, blue jays, and cardinals are all ground-feeding birds, while birds such as finches prefer cylinder-shaped feeders.
One key objective in attracting birds to your backyard is to make sure to place your feeding station in a safe place that will be easy for you to see year-round. Different trees may bloom in the spring/summer months which could restrict your view so be sure and keep that in mind. Also, if you struggle with mobility, be sure to create your feeding station in a place that won't be too difficult to get to for filling up the different feeding trays and feeders.
Providing a wide variety of food sources is the most effective way of attracting a wide variety of bird species. Here are some examples:
- If you want to attract hummingbirds, hang hummingbird feeders filled with sugar water.
- If you want to attract house finches, you fill a feeder with seeds and buds
- If you want to attract cardinals, fill a feeder with safflower seed and black oil sunflower seeds
- If you want to attract bluebirds, put out suet feeders or some mealworms.
As you can see, with the right foods, you can attract a greater variety of birds.
Be sure to clean feeders regularly.
Offer Water
Birds need a source of water for drinking and bathing. You can provide water by setting up a bird bath, fountain, small pond, or other water features with clean water. If you have set up a bird bath make sure it is located where it can easily be reached by a water hose for easy cleaning and refilling.
Be sure to change the water regularly to prevent mosquitoes and other pests. Fresh water prevents mosquitos and other pests that can hover in stagnant water.
Plant Native Plants
Native plants provide birds with natural sources of food and shelter. Research which plants are native to your area and plant them in your backyard. Native plants are also great for providing pollination stations for backyard birds and other pollinators.
Planting native plants in your yard is a really good way to attract native birds to your area as well. With a natural environment, the birds will have more luck in finding natural food sources in your space.
Attracting Birds to Your Backyard: Safety Reminders
Provide Shelter
Our feathered friends need a place to rest and hide from predators and safety is key in attracting birds to your backyard. In addition to planting native plants, you can also provide shelter to small birds in other ways. You can provide shelter by planting trees (evergreen trees are great for this) and shrubs, or building a bird house or birdhouses (depending on how many birds you are hoping to see in your yard). You can even build nest boxes. Another way to provide shelter for different types of birds is by leaving brush piles with dead trees, leaves, and other natural debris on the ground (obviously more doable for those with larger properties).
Birds aren't too picky about what they use, as long as they have a protective cover to keep them safe.
Reduce Pesticide Use
An easy way to encourage the health of the birds in your yard is by reducing the use of pesticides. Pesticides can harm birds directly or indirectly by reducing their food sources. Use natural methods to control pests in your backyard.
Be Patient when Attracting Birds to Your Backyard
It may take time for birds to find your backyard and become regular visitors. Be patient and consistent in providing food, water, and shelter, and you will soon have thriving bird populations in your backyard.
As you can see, building a bird-friendly garden doesn't take a lot, and it certainly doesn't have to be difficult. By following these easy tips, you will be seeing more and more birds in your yard all the time!
Yes! It is a great idea to continue feeding backyard birds through out the year. It is true that backyard birds can always find food, but they like your food!
You can keep feeding them the same way. Making changes like adding a cover to the feeder or offering high energy suet is a recommended.
This answer can get lengthy so we have written a more detailed guide, click on the link in the post above. In short, though, you can start with something as simple as a Wild Bird Feed Mix & simple Suet feeder.
Ahhh, those pesky Jays. Unfortunately, there is little you can do to stop the Blue Jays from eating your backyard bird food. Instead, try offering a cheap alternative at a feeder away from the main area. They will most likely use it!
Be consistent.
Fill feeders part way to ensure it gets gobbled up before molding or it gets wet.
Clean feeders often. If it looks like a plate you would not eat from, they need cleaning.
Offer water. I can not stress this enough. Birds NEED water.
Enjoy your birds !
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