Attracting Birds
Few
things are as interesting, lively, and beautiful as birds. They
brighten up the dark days of winter and fill our springtime woodlands
and gardens with their music. How can we repay them for giving us such
enjoyment? By providing some of the things they need to survive—food,
water, shelter, nest sites, and natural habitats. Having a
bird-friendly yard has never been more important—with every passing
year suitable habitat for birds is ever shorter in supply. Attracting
birds is also great way to introduce young people to nature—it's
something the whole family can share.
How to begin? An easy way to attract birds is to put up a bird feeder.
We'll help you choose the feeders and foods that appeal to the birds
you want to attract, plus we'll tell you where to put your feeder and
how to care for it.
Many birds build nests out of vegetation, but some excavate holes in
tree trunks. Still others breed in tree holes that other birds have
made. Nest boxes offer these hole-nesters a place to raise their young,
especially where dead trees aren't available. Our nest box section
describes the features of a good nest box, where to place it, and how
to avoid predators.
Try providing a water source or some nest material. They may attract
birds than normally don't visit feeders. Hole-nesting birds often use
cavities as overnight shelters, too. A roosting box can help them out.
In spring and summer birds' natural diet includes insects and spiders.
During fall migration and winter, songbirds rely on fruit and seeds to
survive. If a more natural approach to attracting birds appeals to you,
try landscaping your yard to provide some of these natural foods. Plant
conifers and deciduous trees as shelter from the elements and for nest
sites. Think wild! Let your backyard (or just a part of it) become
overgrown with thickets and trailing vines. Our landscaping section is
full of tips to make your backyard a haven for birds!
Attracting birds to your property is full of rewards, but it brings
challenges and responsibilities too. When unexpected things happen, we
offer advice to help solve problems.
Check out the links below for more details.
Feeding Wild Birds
The way to a bird's heart is through its stomach! Learn about bird feeders, types of food, and more.
Nest Boxes
Home, sweet home—attract birds by giving them a place to raise their young.
Other Attractants
Bring the birds in by providing water, roost boxes, nest material, and more.
Landscaping for Birds
Learn about the best things to plant and other ways to make your property a magnet for birds.
Attracting Birds to Your Backyard
A real-life example and ten top tips.
Challenges
What to do when things don't go as expected: window collisions, sick, dead, or unusual birds, nuisance birds, and more.