Attracting Birds to Your Yard

Children who live in cities often miss the opportunity to witness wild animals in an open habitat. As human cities sprawl ever outward, much of the habitats that native animal species relies on is compromised. Even in areas where deer are regularly spotted in the yard, the habitat has been changed by humans moving into the area. Attracting birds to your yard is a great way to provide children with a glimpse into the natural world.

Many people who have tried will admit that attracting birds is not as simple as just hanging a few feeders near the back or garage doors. The types of feeders and food offered will determine what kinds of birds come to feed. Putting the bird food in clear tube feeder or in an open pan feeder will help bring the birds in faster. Birds can see seeds and other types of food. Ensuring that the food is visible makes it easier for them to find it. Most makers of bird foods provide information on the packaging as to what kinds of birds prefer each type of food. Some birds prefer small seeds, while others can’t pass up sunflower seeds. Many bird breeds prefer suet, which needs to be placed in a special wire feeder.

A special feeder is also necessary if the plan is to attract hummingbirds. Hummingbirds drink nectar. This can be purchased bottled in the store, but hummingbird nectar is easy to make at home. Four parts water to one part sugar boiled together to make a simple syrup is a hummingbird favorite. No red food coloring is necessary.   

All birds love water. Like humans, they rely on water for drinking and also for bathing. It is best to place a birdbath a little bit away from the bird feeders. Bathing birds prefer a bit of privacy and quiet, which is not likely to be available near the feeding station. Also avoid putting bird baths near noisy areas of the home or yard. Garage doors can be noisy and it only takes being frightened once before a bird will avoid an area. Only fill bird baths a few inches of water. Many birds are very small and can’t handle much water. Drowning is also a concern, so it is best to keep the bird bath water shallow.

Once the birds come for the food and drink, they are likely to enjoy this habitat and want to stay. Well placed bird houses will encourage residents. Again, birds prefer quiet. Bird houses are most effective when hung from trees or very near bushes. Like the bird baths, it is important to keep the bird houses a bit away from garage doors and banging back doors. Hanging the bird houses away from the garage doors will also help keep birds from entering the garage when the garage doors are left open.

It is easy to attract native birds to the yard. It does take a little bit of planning. Placing feeders, bird baths, and bird houses near enough to make a bit of a bird ‘neighborhood’ is a great way to encourage residents. However, each item should be placed far enough away from the others, and from the people house, to provide safety and quiet.