Creating a bird feeding area in your yard or garden can attract beautiful birds and provide hours of entertainment as you watch them eat, bathe and interact. With some simple steps, you can set up a fun and functional space for local and migrating birds.
Plan the Location
When deciding where to put your bird feeding station, consider the following:
- Pick a spot near trees or bushes to provide cover and escape routes for birds. They will feel more secure with places to hide.
- Choose an area that gets some sun but also has shade so birds can get out of the elements.
- Make sure you can see the feeders from indoors. Placing them within view of windows allows you to birdwatch in comfort.
- Avoid placing feeders too close to brush and overgrown vegetation where cats may hide.
Select the Feeders
There are many types of bird feeders available. Consider using a variety to attract different species. Here are some common options:
- Hopper or platform feeders: These hold lots of seed and accommodate various birds. Platforms are good for larger birds.
- Tube feeders: Cylindrical tube feeders allow birds like chickadees, finches and sparrows to cling and feed.
- Suet feeders: Offering suet attracts woodpeckers, nuthatches and wrens.
- Oriole feeders: Grape jelly and orange halves draw beautiful orioles.
- Hummingbird feeders: A nectar mixture in these feeders will attract hummingbirds.
- Ground feeders: Platforms or trays on the ground allow doves, juncos and other ground feeding birds to eat.
Choose feeders suited for the types of birds you want to attract. Also consider picking feeders made of durable, chew-proof materials.
Provide Bird Feed and Water
Stock your feeders with quality seeds and rotate them to attract more species. Here are some top feed options:
- Sunflower seeds: These are a favorite of chickadees, finches, nuthatches, sparrows, titmice and more.
- Nyjer thistle: Goldfinches and pine siskins love nyjer seeds.
- Safflower seeds: Cardinals, sparrows and doves like these.
- Peanuts: Peanuts attract blue jays, woodpeckers, chickadees, titmice and more.
- Suet: Insect-eating birds like woodpeckers relish suet cakes.
- Fruit: Orioles, tanagers and others eat halved oranges, berries and grapes.
Provide clean water for drinking and bathing using a bird bath or water feature. Position it near brush for safety.
Offer Birdhouses or Nesting Boxes
Give birds a place to nest and raise young by putting up birdhouses suited to species you want to attract. Mount them to trees or posts 6-15 feet off the ground away from prevailing winds. Clean them out each season.
Here are some common backyard birds and the houses they use:
Bird Species | Birdhouse Type |
---|---|
Chickadees | Small houses with 1 1/8″ diameter entrance hole |
Bluebirds | Open-fronted boxes 5-6 inches deep with 1 1/2″ hole |
Purple martins | Apartment style houses 6-12+ rooms with 2″ diameter holes |
Woodpeckers | Unfinished wood with clean interior and 1 1/4″ hole |
Wrens | Small enclosed boxes with 1″ entrance holes |
Landscape with Native Plants
Landscaping your yard with native plants and flowers provides natural food sources to attract more birds. Here are some great options:
- Trees: Oak, birch, maple and other native trees provide seeds and insects for birds to eat.
- Shrubs: Elderberry, serviceberry and hawthorn shrubs produce berries and structure for cover.
- Flowers: Coneflowers, sunflowers, zinnias and other flowering plants provide nectar.
- Grasses: Clumping grasses like switchgrass hold seeds for birds to forage.
- Vines: Trumpet vine and other climbers produce nectar-rich flowers hummingbirds love.
Group plantings together to create an attractive area for you and habitat for birds.
Minimize Threats
Make your yard safer for visiting birds by:
- Keeping cats indoors to avoid predation.
- Placing decals on windows to prevent bird collisions.
- Removing pesticide use which can poison birds.
- Cleaning feeders regularly to prevent disease spread.
Conclusion
Creating a bird-friendly space in your yard takes some planning but provides wonderful rewards. Follow these steps for setting up feeders, providing food and water, adding nesting spots, landscaping with native plants and minimizing hazards. Soon you’ll have happy colorful songbirds visiting your new bird feeding habitat.