Bird-Friendly Gardens: Attracting Feathered Friends

Introduction: It's a Bird's World, We're Just Living In It

Look out your window. No, not at that squirrel doing X-rated things to your bird feeder. Look up, into the trees. Behold the majesty of our avian brethren, the true kings of the sky. While we humans are resigned to walking on the ground like bipedal chumps, birds are soaring through the air, serenading us with their sweet, sweet melodies. If you're tired of simply admiring these winged wonders from afar, it's time to get up close and personal by attracting them to your garden. But how can you convince these marvelous creatures to grace your home with their presence? Fear not, for I have the answers you seek.

Step 1: Become the Bird Whisperer with Bird-Friendly Food

Just like humans, birds appreciate a good meal. If you want to attract a diverse array of feathered friends, offer them a veritable buffet of bird-friendly foods. For example:

• Black-oil sunflower seeds: These are the caviar of the bird world. Everyone loves them, from cardinals to chickadees. Invest in a quality feeder and you'll become the most popular human in the neighborhood (among the birds, at least).
• Suet: It's not just for your eccentric great-aunt's old-timey recipes. While it may seem odd to offer birds a block of fat, they're actually huge fans. Suet provides much-needed calories, especially during the winter months.
• Mealworms: Yes, they're slimy and gross, but birds go absolutely cuckoo for these wriggly little morsels. Serve them up in a dish or tray feeder and watch as your garden becomes a birdy hotspot.
• Nectar: Remember that time you drank an entire bottle of maple syrup? That's how birds feel about nectar. Put up hummingbird or oriole feeders filled with this sweet liquid and they'll be buzzing around your garden like teenagers hopped up on energy drinks.

Step 2: Water: The Elixir of Life (and also Cleanliness)

Why should you provide water for your bird friends? The answer is simple: birds are nothing if not vain. They love nothing more than to bathe and preen themselves in your garden's luxurious bird spa. And by "bird spa," I mean a shallow dish of water that you've strategically placed in your garden. Here's how to create the ultimate bird bathing experience:

• Keep it shallow - 1 to 2 inches deep is perfect for most birds. They're not interested in drowning during their leisure time.
• Add a few rocks or sticks to provide perching spots. No one wants to slip and slide during their bath.
• Keep it clean (and full), because birds are picky about their hygiene. Plus, dirty water can spread disease. And nobody wants that.
• Consider adding a "water wiggler" or other simple device to create a gentle ripple. Birds are attracted to the sound and sight of moving water. It's like a tiny rave for their senses.

Step 3: Make Your Garden a Safe Haven from Predatory Beasts

Birds have enough to worry about without having to deal with your cat, Snookums, lurking in the bushes. While it's true that birds have mastered the art of flight, evading your furry little killing machine can be a challenge.


Here are some ways to keep your feathered friends safe from the jaws of doom:

• Keep feeders and birdbaths at least 10 feet away from hiding spots, such as bushes or shrubs. This gives birds a chance to spot predators before it's too late.
• Attach bird-safe decals to windows to prevent collisions. It's a sad fact of life that birds don't experience the same joy we do when it comes to seeing our own reflections.
• Keep Snookums indoors, or at least put a bell and bird-safe collar on her. Birds have keen hearing and will appreciate the early warning system.
• Encourage your neighbors to follow these guidelines as well. Safety in numbers and all that.

Step 4: Plant a Smorgasbord of Natural Bird Delicacies

While bird feeders are all well and good, there's something to be said for providing a more natural food source. By planting a variety of native plants, you can create a bird-friendly buffet that also benefits the local ecosystem. Imagine that - helping the environment and getting up close with birds. It's like a double rainbow of awesomeness.


Some bird-friendly plants to consider include:

• Flowering plants: Provide nectar for hummingbirds and insects for bug-eating birds.
• Seed-bearing plants: Offer a tasty selection of seeds for birds that prefer a more plant-based diet.
• Berry-producing shrubs: Attract fruit-loving birds and provide excellent cover for nesting and hiding from predators.
• Evergreen trees: These provide shelter during the harsh winter months and a year-round supply of insects for birds to munch on.

By following these steps, you'll create a bird-friendly garden that's the envy of the neighborhood. And who knows - you might just find yourself with a new appreciation for the wonders of nature as you share your space with these amazing creatures. Now go forth and birdify your garden!

Article kindly provided by yourhomengarden.org