Providing food sources and bird feeders

It might take a little planning to decide what food sources to offer in your bird habitat. Birds that eat insects will forage on their own, but will also appreciate meal worms placed on a feeder.

You can also provide food like sunflower seeds, berries, commercial bird food, fruit, and peanuts. There are many other foods available to try, but those are just a few. Research what many birds native to your area eat to decide what to buy.

You need to be sure to keep food fresh and unspoiled. Don’t feed birds bread or other kinds of pet food.

If you don’t want to spend time refilling a feeder daily, you can plant species that provide seeds, nectar, or fruits for birds to eat. Many birds love American beautyberry which has striking purple berries and is easy to grow.

Providing bird baths

Birds need to hydrate and bathe just like we do, so providing a bird bath will attract them to your garden. Bird baths only need to be around two inches deep, with a sloped edge.

Ground foraging birds will prefer a bath on the ground while other birds will prefer an elevated bath safe from predators, so providing both can encourage different birds to populate your yard. Delay filling it during freezing weather.

Providing bird houses and nesting space

Different birds like different nest boxes, so you may need to try a few different kinds to see what is successful. Check your nesting space annually and clean old nests from your boxes. You should sanitize nest boxes with hot water.

If you have dead trees on your property, don’t bother clearing them out, many species of birds use them as nesting spaces.

Bird species to attract to your garden

There are over 900 native bird species in the United States, meaning there is a vibrant variety of birds that may want to come spend time in your yard. You can expect songbirds, raptors, and woodpeckers, amongst other birds. Some birds are better to attract to your yard than others. We’ve brought together some of the more common species to look out for.

Mourning Doves

These lovely doves can be found year round throughout the United States. The mourning dove is known for its soft, appealing coo and pretty gray foliage with an elegant, slender tail. If you would like to attract a breeding pair, consider planting trees and shrubs as nesting sites or build another kind of nest. Mourning Doves like to forage, so you can sprinkle seeds on the ground for them.

American Robins

You might be used to seeing robins pulling up worms in the spring time. Native robins are found all over north America and have a pleasant whistle. Robins are ground foragers that help aerate your lawn as they search for insects, but will also eat fruit from feeders.

Bluebirds

If you live in the eastern part of the United States, you’re probably familiar with bluebirds. These pretty birds add color to your garden and have a light, trilling call. Bluebirds also like insects and will use nest boxes if provided.

Chickadees

These small, acrobatic birds are very cute and friendly. They are great to have in your garden as backyard birds because they are relatively unafraid of humans. There are several different kinds of chickadees in North America including the Black-capped chickadee and the Carolina chickadee. They have a pretty high pitched song and eat insects.

Woodpeckers

There are 23 native woodpeckers in the United States. These interesting birds feed vertically and are fascinating to watch. If you want to attract woodpeckers to your yard, smear suet on the trunks of trees. They also like peanut butter, sunflower seeds, and are attracted to water sources.

Hummingbirds

There are a number of beautiful North American hummingbirds that you can attract to your garden. Native plants with tubular flowers and nectar are surefire way to bring hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are attracted to red and orange flowers like trumpet honeysuckle. If you want to go the extra step to attract them, they love a misting station to bathe.

Hanging nectar feeders can also be used, but be sure to change the water often and do not use red dye. Hummingbird nectar should just be sugar and water.

Owls

These larger birds are great to attract to your yard if you want to control vermin, as long as you don’t have small pets or chickens. A resident owl will deter wildlife like skunks, rabbits, and other small animals that like to dig around in garden beds or rats that are attracted to compost heaps.

Owls are attracted to large trees and dark yards. Turn your flood lights off at night to give them a dark area to hunt.

Enjoy your garden!

Attracting birds is a great way to enjoy your garden, adding color and song. If you need help pruning and planting trees and shrubs or planning your bird garden consider working with a professional like the ones at bhild.com. Call us today, or fill out our form here for a free estimate on lawn services!