Backyard Bird Habitat

Creating a backyard bird habitat can be as easy as setting up a bird feeder or as complex as landscaping with native plants, flowers and grasses. Birds need three things to thrive--food, water and shelter. By providing all three in your yard, you'll likely attract dozens of species throughout the year. Birds love variety, so set out several feeders with different kinds of food, and place shallow pans of water in various locations to get their attention. Build your own birdhouses to encourage birds to return to your yard every season. Attracting birds to your backyard is both simple and inexpensive, with immeasurable benefit to both you and wildlife.

  1. Feeders

    • Different feeder styles and foods attract different species of birds. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the first step in setting up feeders is to decide which birds you want to bring into your backyard. Use a bird field guide to discover the birds in your area of the country and what foods they like, then erect feeders to attract them. The most effective styles for seed are tray/platform, hopper, window and tube feeders, while wire-cage feeders work best with suet. Nectar feeders will attract hummingbirds, orioles and fruit-loving birds. To attract the greatest number of species, choose several styles and scatter them throughout your backyard.

    Water

    • Water is a necessity for attracting birds. Give birds a clean source of water with a shallow birdbath set low to the ground, rather than on a pedestal, to mimic a puddle or pond. Place gravel or clean sand in the bottom for substrate, and lay a few branches over the bath to let birds drink without getting wet. Empty and replace the water every other day to prevent mosquitoes, algae or contamination. Clean the bath with a scrub brush if dirt or bird droppings begin to accumulate.

    Nest Boxes and Materials

    • Birds are likely to return to your yard every season if you give them plenty of nesting materials and boxes. Follow guidelines (available online from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology) for building your own nest boxes to attract specific species and keep out others. Woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, wrens, bluebirds, owls and some ducks are cavity nesters and will readily set up house in a homemade nest box. Robins, swallows, flycatchers and doves prefer to nest on a semi-enclosed platform. For species that simply nest in trees, put out a selection of nesting material like dried grass, twigs, yarn and bits of cotton batting. Be sure to place the nest boxes in the appropriate settings and clean them thoroughly every season to keep them in good shape.

    Brush and Ground Cover

    • Backyard birds appreciate a safe haven to escape predators, such as dense brush, shrubs or trees. Encourage birds to visit by maintaining a wildlife-friendly yard. Keep a brush pile in a corner of your property. Start one with your old Christmas tree and set feeders nearby. Keep native trees or shrubbery on your property to maintain the natural landscape of your region of the country, and leave fallen trees, branches or wild plants on the ground rather than removing them.

    Landscaping

    • Landscaping to attract birds requires planning, but can result in an optimum environment for dozens of species all year long. Plant a variety of native plants and trees. Not only will you diversify the natural offerings to birds, but also reduce the amount of upkeep you'll need to perform. Native plants usually require less watering or pesticides than ornamental or non-native species. Choose deciduous and coniferous plants that bloom in all seasons, especially those that provide food like seeds, fruit or nuts. Plan a dense thicket with dead wood, climbing vines or hedge. Scatter wildflower seeds over beds on your property to beautify your yard and grow a feast of seeds for birds.