Idaho is home to a wonderful diversity of bird species. From colorful songbirds to majestic birds of prey, there are many feathered friends that call the Gem State home. Attracting birds to your backyard or garden can be an extremely rewarding experience. Watching the activity and behaviors of different species at a feeder or birdhouse is not only enjoyable, but can also be educational. Furthermore, many bird species help control insect and rodent populations, making them beneficial to have around. With a little effort and know-how, you can transform your outdoor space into an attractive oasis for Idaho’s birds. This article will provide tips on how to do just that.
Offer bird feeders
One of the simplest ways to attract birds is by offering bird feeders. These contraptions provide supplemental food sources that many species rely on, especially during winter when natural food is scarce. There are several types of feeders available, each catering to the dietary preferences of different birds.
Platform feeders are open trays or ledges that accommodate larger birds like doves. Hopper or house feeders typically have covered roofs and perches, protecting the seed from getting wet. Tube feeders are cylindrical enclosures with built-in perches that songbirds like finches favor. Suet feeders hold suet cakes made of fat and nut butter that insect-eating birds like woodpeckers and nuthatches devour.
You can fill your feeders with commercial seed mixes, or make your own custom blends. Black oil sunflower seeds attract the widest range of birds. Nyjer or thistle seeds appeal to finches. Safflower seeds are loved by cardinals. Peanuts are relished by woodpeckers and jays. Suet cakes should contain insect larva, fruit, nuts and seeds.
Locate your feeders in open areas with scenic views and scattered trees or shrubs nearby so birds have plenty of landing and observation points. Use sturdy poles or hangers to mount the feeders at least 5-7 feet off the ground to deter predators. Clean and disinfect feeders regularly to prevent disease transmission.
Provide a water source
Birds need water not only for drinking, but also for bathing and preening their feathers. Installing a birdbath, small pond or other water feature is an excellent way to attract birds. Position it near trees so birds have a place to perch before approaching. Keep the water fresh by dumping and refilling it every few days to prevent mosquitoes. Include rocks, pebbles or sand that allow birds to wade in shallow water. Running or dripping water elements entice birds even more. Heating elements can be added to birdbaths to prevent ice overs in winter.
Offer nesting sites
Providing places for birds to nest and rear their young is hugely beneficial. Native trees and shrubs provide great nesting habitat, as birds often prefer natural nooks and crannies. Avoid pruning trees and shrubs in spring and summer during nesting season. You can also install bird houses suited to cavity-nesters like chickadees, nuthatches, bluebirds, wrens, and woodpeckers. Mount houses 8-15 feet high on tree trunks, wooden posts or metal poles. Clean them out each autumn to prepare for the next nesting season.
Provide shelter
Birds appreciate sites that offer shelter from the elements and hiding spots away from predators. Trees, shrubs, vines and brush piles give birds places to escape. Evergreens like pines, spruces, firs and junipers offer year-round cover. Planting native vegetation suited to your ecoregion is best to provide natural food and habitat. Leave dead snags standing, as woodpeckers and other cavity nesters use them. Avoid excessive tidying of leaf litter, weeds and garden debris, which provide insects and seeds birds feed on.
Reduce pesticide use
Chemical pesticides and insecticides commonly used in gardens can be toxic to birds and their prey. The more you can refrain from using these chemicals, the healthier your yard will be for birds. Promote natural insect control by attracting birds and bats. Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs that prey on detrimental ones. Use organic fertilizers like compost and manure versus synthetic versions. Weed by hand rather than resorting to herbicides. Your efforts will benefit the birds and also the environment.
Put up deterrents
Unfortunately, cats and birds do not mix. Outdoor cats kill billions of birds in the U.S. every year. If you have an outdoor cat, consider transitioning it to be indoor-only to protect local birds. Putting bells on its collar can warn birds but is only somewhat effective. Keep cats indoor especially during fledging season when young birds leave the nest.
To deter bird collisions, apply decals to large windows. Install scare tape or other deterrents to ward birds away from potential hazards. Use rubber snakes, owls and hawk decoys to keep birds alert. Avoid trapping, poisoning or hunting birds on your property. Advocate for better legislation to protect bird populations when possible.
Provide native plants
Landscaping your yard with native plants that provide food, shelter and nesting sites is one of the best ways to attract more birds. Native plants are ecologically adapted to local soils and climates. They require less watering and maintenance than non-native species. Birds have co-evolved with native plants and instinctively rely on them to survive.
Offer berry-producing shrubs like serviceberry, chokecherry and huckleberry. Trees like oaks, madrones and pines provide seeds and nesting cavities. Milkweed and other wildflowers supply nectar for hummingbirds and insects that birds eat. Grasses provide cover and materials for nest building. Consult local nurseries or natural resources agencies for recommendations on native plants specific to your Idaho location. Arrange plants in dense, layered thickets rather than rigid rows, as birds naturally thrive in heterogeneous habitats.
Incorporate brush piles
Leaving brush piles of fallen branches, dried plants and trimmings may seem messy, but they provide excellent cover, roosting and nesting sites for birds. Small songbirds like sparrows, wrens and warblers will appreciate the nooks and tunnels brush piles create. Larger birds nest atop them, while raptors like hawks and owls use them as observation perches to scan for prey. Pile trimmings and prunings as densely as possible. Let dead annuals stand over winter rather than cleaning up beds. The resulting tangles are bird havens. Just be sure brush piles don’t harbor rodents or excessive mosquitoes.
Add a diversity of feeder foods
Rather than sticking to one standard seed mix, try offering a diversity of foods in your feeders to appeal to a wider range of species. Nut and fruit blends will attract woodpeckers, jays, grosbeaks and waxwings. Finch mixes contain nyjer thistle seeds loved by goldfinches and pine siskins. Cylindrical finch feeders specifically accommodate these active birds. Hopper feeders with cardinal-friendly safflower seeds will entice the reds. Suet feeders will lure insect-eaters like chickadees and woodpeckers. Offering diversity will encourage more species to visit as they can find their preferred foods.
Provide winter roost boxes
Winter roost boxes give birds enclosed shelter against the elements during cold months. They are similar to bird houses but typically larger. Make roost boxes from wood, metal cylinders or even small igloos for birds to huddle inside. Face the opening away from prevailing winds with a 1-1 1⁄2” diameter entrance hole. Place roost boxes 15 feet up in trees near feeders. Chickadees, nuthatches, bluebirds, wrens and woodpeckers will appreciate a cozy refuge on frigid nights. Clean them out after winter to prevent parasite buildup.
Conclusion
Attracting a diversity of spectacular, fascinating birds to your yard or garden in Idaho can be deeply rewarding. Follow this advice to create an enticing habitat through feeders, water sources, nesting sites, native plants, brush piles and more. Pay attention to each species’ needs. Avoid using pesticides and reduce hazards to birds. With some planning and effort, you can convert your outdoor space into a thriving bird haven that benefits both local and migratory species. The sights and sounds of songbirds enlivening your property will bring you joy while also supporting crucial conservation.
