If you’re looking for a way to attract birds to your garden, it’s easy and inexpensive. All you need is some basic knowledge of what birds like and how they behave, as well as some common household items.
The good news is that you don’t have to spend lots of money on things like bird feeders or bird houses even though those can be fun to have!
Instead, just look at these tips from a fellow gardener who has done all the work for you:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Creating a bird-friendly garden can be beneficial for both birds and people. |
| Attracting birds to your garden requires creating a habitat that satisfies their basic needs. |
| Providing food, water, and shelter are fundamental strategies for attracting more birds to your garden. |
| In addition to bird feeders and houses, landscaping your garden with native plants can create a natural habitat for birds. |
| By following the tips and tricks outlined in this article, you can enhance your garden’s appeal to a variety of bird species. |
Add Some Water
Birds, like all animals, need water to survive. It’s a natural source of oxygen, and they absolutely love to drink it. If you’re looking to attract birds (or any animals) to your garden, adding some water is a great way to do it!
For example: if you have an old bathtub sitting around collecting dust in your garage or basement, why not turn it into an outdoor birdbath?
You can buy or make an additional basin for underneath it so that the ground doesn’t become too wet and muddy, then fill both basins with water and enjoy watching the birds flock towards their new home!
Another idea would be to place some birdbaths in strategic spots around your yard where birds will fly close by during their daily commute through town.
Consider placing them near trees that offer plenty of shade from the sun birds tend not want hang out in direct sunlight for long periods of time because they burn easily!
Building a bird-friendly garden doesn’t have to break the bank. Explore our guide on creative solutions for building a bird-friendly garden on a tight budget for cost-effective yet eco-friendly ideas.
Provide Shelter
Provide shelter. Birds need a safe place to rest, especially during bad weather or at night when many predators are active.
Birdhouses are one way to offer them this protection and they come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials. You can purchase them or make them at home with a few basic tools (see below).
Build A Bird Box
A bird box is a small wooden structure that you place in an area where birds can build a nest. You don’t need to be an expert carpenter to make one, but it’s best if you are familiar with how to use tools and follow instructions.
If you aren’t sure what size or shape the bird box should be, ask an expert at your local hardware store or nature center.
Bird boxes can be made from many different materials besides wood—cardboard, metal mesh, fiberglass insulation board so long as they’re sturdy enough for birds to use them as nesting sites and durable enough to withstand weathering over time.
Some people prefer wooden boxes because they have better insulation against temperature extremes than cardboard or other materials; however, paper products like foam core board do not retain moisture as well as wood does (which is important for insect-eating birds), so if your climate is wetter than average then stick with pine boards instead of cedar ones when building large structures such as this one will require at least six feet above ground level
Enhancing your garden’s appeal to birds can go beyond just planting a few seeds. Discover the top 15 beautiful and sustainable bird-friendly garden designs that can help you create a thriving bird habitat in your backyard.
Put Out Feeders
One of the best ways to attract birds is by putting out feeders. Not only will you be giving birds something to eat, but you’ll also get an excellent show in return!
There are many types of feeders on the market—some are cheap, others are quite expensive. You can choose from:
seed-based feeders, which include hopper and tube feeders; these typically have a small feeding platform at the top where seeds fall through a screen into bird’s mouths below; these are inexpensive yet have some disadvantages such as attracting mice and squirrels; they also require frequent cleaning if not used by particularly messy birds like chickadees or sparrows
suet-based feeders that contain fatty food such as nuts or suet (animal fat) in them; this type of food is high energy so it keeps birds warm during cold weather months; they’re especially useful when temperatures drop below freezing because suet won’t freeze as easily
Types of Bird Feeders and their Advantages
| Bird Feeder | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Platform | Accommodates larger birds and multiple feeders |
| Hopper | Holds more birdseed, requires less frequent refills |
| Suet | Provides high-energy and protein-rich food for birds |
| Tube | Keeps seeds dry, discourages squirrels |
| Nyjer | Ideal for attracting finches and other small birds |
| Hummingbird | Designed for the nectar diet and long beaks of hummingbirds |
Note: Putting out feeders is a popular method for attracting birds to your garden. By choosing the right type of feeder, you can cater to the feeding habits and preferences of various bird species. This table provides an overview of different types of bird feeders and their unique advantages.
Prepare A Bird Bath
A bird bath is a shallow, dish-shaped container that you can easily make with a small basin and a few rocks.
It’s important to always keep your bird bath filled with fresh water so it remains attractive and inviting to birds in search of food and drink.
Bird baths should be cleaned regularly by removing debris such as leaves or pine needles from the surface of the water.
Bird baths should also be placed in sunny spots so they stay visible throughout the day, but not directly in windy locations (to prevent splashing).
Bird feeding can be fun and rewarding for both birds and people. But are you sure you’re doing it correctly? Learn about the best bird feeding spots in your area to make sure you’re providing birds with the nutrition they need.
Hang Out Nesting Materials
Just like humans, birds need to have a place to sleep. In the wild, they would be using trees and shrubs as places to build their nests.
You can help attract birds to your garden by providing nesting materials that are similar to those found in nature. Nesting material can include straw, moss, twigs, grasses or feathers.
If you don’t have enough of these items in your own garden (or if they’re in short supply), you can purchase them online or at local craft stores.
Alternatively, you could collect them from around town straw is often used for packing lunches and other food items so it shouldn’t be too hard for you to find!
Types of Nesting Materials and the Birds that Use Them
| Nesting Material | Birds That Use Them |
|---|---|
| Twigs | Robins, Chipping Sparrows, Woodpeckers, Phoebes |
| Grass | Swallows, Robins, Warblers, Vireos |
| Leaves | Wrens, Sparrows, Thrashers |
| Feathers | Hummingbirds, Kinglets, Warblers, Orioles |
| Mud | Swallows, Flycatchers, Warblers, Pipits |
| Moss | Hummingbirds, Bushtits, Owls, Chickadees |
Note: Hanging out nesting materials is a crucial step in attracting birds to your garden. Providing various types of nesting materials can cater to the unique preferences of different bird species. This table suggests different types of nesting materials and the birds that use them to help you create a bird-friendly environment in your garden.
Install A Bat Box
Bat boxes are a great way to attract bats to your garden. They’re also easy to install, so you don’t need any special skills or equipment.
Bats are beneficial to the environment because they eat mosquitoes and other pests that can harm birds. In addition, their droppings provide high levels of nitrogen for the soil in an area, which is good for plant growth.
If you’re looking for a way to add more biodiversity and natural beauty into your garden without spending too much money, installing a bat box is one of your best options!
Attracting birds to your garden can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Our guide on 10 clever ways to make your garden more inviting and attractive to birds can give you some practical tips to create a bird-friendly environment that will attract a variety of feathered friends.
Choose Flowers That Birds Like To Feast On
- Choose flowers that birds like to feast on
- Add a birdbath and feeder
- Hang birdhouses in the garden
- Plant trees and shrubs that provide cover from predators
Leave Out Berries And Other Food For The Birds In Winter
Leave out berries and other food for the birds in winter. In addition to providing a source of food, this also helps keep your bird feeder stocked during the winter months.
Berries and nuts are high in fat and protein, which is what birds need to stay warm during the winter months.
Good examples of berries that you can leave out include holly, juniper berries and dogwood berries; nut species that are good for attracting birds include acorns (the dormant ones), beechnuts, hazelnuts and walnuts.
A bird-friendly garden can create numerous benefits for both birds and people that go beyond just enjoying nature. Our guide on the 15 surprising benefits of having a bird-friendly garden explores all the reasons why creating a bird habitat in your backyard is worth the effort.
Create Spaces For Feathered Friends To Bathe And Play
Birds like to be clean. They also enjoy being able to relax in the water and play in their pools, just like us! If they have a place they can do this, they will certainly come back over and over again.
You can create your own birdbath by filling an old tub with water, or you can buy one from the store that includes a basin for bathing in and another for drinking water (this is especially important if you live anywhere near saltwater).
You can also make your own basin out of something like a large flowerpot or bucket by drilling holes around the bottom edge so that it allows water flow out of its sides rather than having it all sit at one level (this allows smaller birds who might not be strong enough swimmers access).
Then simply fill up your basin with fresh rainwater every couple days when needed!
Use A Water Feature Or Fountain To Attract Flying Friends
Use a water feature or fountain to attract flying friends. Birds are attracted to moving water, so plant a birdbath and allow it to collect rainwater as well.
If you’re not handy with DIY projects, there are many pre-made options available online or at your local gardening store.
Consider adding small stones at the bottom of your bath birds like to bathe in shallow areas of water, so this will provide them with an easy place to clean themselves after a long day of hunting bugs.
Provide food for feathered friends. Birds love black oil sunflower seeds! Here’s how: First, clean out an old mason jar lid by removing any stickers or glue residue on the inside using Goo-Gone spray cleaner (this stuff works wonders).
Then all you need is some cling wrap and duct tape (or any other sticky material) in order for birds not only eat from it but also stick around when feeding time comes around again next year…
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of things that you can do to get birds to flock to your garden. The key is to think about what kind of plants and flowers they like and how they like to spend their time.
If you’re looking for something fun and easy, try hanging out some nesting material in a tree or bush close by your home.
Not only will this attract more birds but it could also help save our planet!
Further Reading
If you’re interested in attracting more birds to your garden, here are some additional resources that may be helpful:
Foolproof Tips to Attract Birds to Your Yard: The Family Handyman offers tips to help you attract birds to your yard, including choosing the right bird feeder, providing the right food, and creating the perfect bird habitat.
How to Attract Birds to Your Garden: Wikihow provides comprehensive step-by-step instructions on how to attract birds to your garden using various strategies, such as planting native plants, building birdhouses, and offering food and water sources.
6 Things You Can Do to Attract Birds to Your Garden: Tanzania Birding lists six things you can do to attract more birds to your garden, such as planting insect-friendly plants, creating different levels of habitats, and providing nesting materials.
FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers related to attracting birds to your garden:
What type of plants should I grow to attract birds to my garden?
Native plants and trees that produce fruits, berries, and nuts are great choices to attract a variety of birds. Examples of such plants include blueberries, elderberries, and serviceberries.
What type of bird feeder should I use?
Different types of birds prefer different types of bird feeders. For example, tube feeders are great for attracting finches, while platform or fly-through feeders are preferred by larger birds such as blue jays or cardinals.
What type of birdseed should I offer?
Different species of birds have different food preferences. A general rule is to offer a variety of birdseed mix that includes sunflower seeds, millet, and peanuts.
How can I prevent squirrels from stealing birdseed?
Squirrels can be deterred by using squirrel-proof bird feeders, baffles, or feeding stations that hang far from any squirrel jumping-off point.
Is it OK to feed birds bread?
Bread and other processed foods are generally not recommended as they lack sufficient nutritional value for birds and can cause health problems. Fresh fruits, nuts, and seeds are a much better choice for feeding birds.
Hello! I’m Hellen James, and I’m a birdwatcher and birder. I have a personal interest in bird behavior and classifications and have been following the latest research on the topic for years.