Attracting birds to your backyard is one of the simplest ways to create a vibrant, lively garden while also benefiting your plants. Their cheerful songs and graceful movements add beauty to any outdoor space, but beyond their aesthetic appeal, birds play a crucial role in natural pest control. By feeding on insects, they help protect your flowers, vegetables, and shrubs—reducing the need for pesticides and making gardening easier for you.
Providing birds with food, water, and shelter ensures they’ll visit your garden regularly. “Many types of birds eat a variety of foods, including seeds, suet, berries, and bugs,” Mulvihill explains. “Bluebirds, chickadees, finches, kingbirds, nuthatches, phoebes, sparrows, swallows, warblers, woodpeckers, and wrens are all insect eaters, although most will consume other foods as well. Any of these species would be a joy to have in your garden, and the more, the merrier.”
To attract birds quickly, hang feeders filled with sunflower or thistle seeds. Chickadees, crossbills, and finches are especially drawn to seeds, while suet cakes appeal to nuthatches, thrushes, woodpeckers, and wrens. If you want to welcome berry-loving birds, plant native shrubs that provide a natural food source—species like finches, grosbeaks, warblers, and waxwings will flock to these plants.
Providing water is just as important as offering food. “Birds need to drink and bathe daily to stay healthy,” Mulvihill notes. Options range from simple birdbaths to elaborate ponds and water features, all of which will encourage regular avian visitors.
When placing bird feeders and baths, position them where birds can easily access them but are safe from cats and other predators. By creating a bird-friendly garden, you’ll not only enjoy a more dynamic and engaging outdoor space but also contribute to a healthier, more balanced ecosystem. So, set up a welcoming haven for feathered friends and watch as your backyard transforms into a thriving wildlife sanctuary!