How To Attract Birds To Your Garden

Birds help contribute to maintaining the well-being and aesthetics of gardens and landscape. These animals are great for getting rid of unwanted insects and worms because their diet is based on eating them.

They can even help improve the pollination process of your plants. So, by following these guidelines, you can learn how to attract birds to your garden.

How to attract birds to your garden

The amount and variety of food that you have out in your garden will directly affect how many animals come. 

Although it is popularly believed that you should only have food out during the winter, experts recommend doing so throughout the year.

If you want to attract a certain species of bird to your garden, then you should leave food out that based on their diet. Below are some examples of food that birds commonly eat:

• Peanuts
• Seed mixtures of sunflower seeds, oats, canary seed, and millet 

When leaving food out for birds, try to avoid foods with high wheat content because they mainly attract pigeons, which can harm your garden rather than benefit it.

Likewise, leaving birds water to drink is also an important factor to attract them into your garden. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds recommends a drinking fountain between 2.5 to 10 centimeters deep. This allows the birds to bathe and drink.

The Role of Plants

Even if you fill your garden with drinking fountains and feeders, the real home to your birds will always be the trees. If your garden only has grass and small plants, it’s unlikely you will be able to attract birds to your garden.

Start by filling your garden with bushes that attract smaller birds like starlings. The thicker the bushes the better, especially if you live in an area where there may be cats that could attack your new bird population.

Rose bushes, thorn bushes, and honeysuckle are some plants that you can use as your start to remodel your garden. Any plant that produces fruit will also draw attention to birds. For example, blackberry vines are one of the most popular wild plants that attract birds.

Nests

If your garden is large and has tall, leafy trees where birds could build their homes, you’ll just need to place sources of water and food as close as possible to the branches.

If, on the other hand, your garden is smaller and only has small plants and bushes, you can make it easier for them by purchasing already made nests or making your own and placing them in strategic areas.

The most popular materials for nests are wool, paper, and wood. Ideally, keep them as close as possible to sources of food and water.

After following all of these tips, you just have to be patient and wait. If you live in an urban area, it may take longer to attract birds. No matter, we hope all your efforts pay off!