Attracting Birds To Your
Backyard
Bird watching is a popular
past time that is shared by many, but what if watching your fluttering friends
was as simple as peeking into your backyard?
Thanks to a few landscaping techniques, you can trade in your binoculars
for a lawn chair and enjoy bird watching from the convenience and comfort of
your own home.
Attracting Birds Of A
Feather
If you want to attract
birds to your backyard, you have to make it a place that they will be drawn
to. One way of doing this is by studying
the feeding and/or nesting habits of the birds that you want to attract. Like any other animal, birds have unique
characteristics that are specific to their type and knowing what they enjoy
will be your first step toward inviting them into your backyard.
Bird Basics
Birds have three basic
needs-food, shelter and water. By
planting familiar foliage, you will be providing a protective covering for
birds. Flowers, inviting nesting areas
and a birdbath will provide additional comfort for your feathered friends.
Bird food, which is
commonly available at any retail store, is often specific to certain bird
types. For instance, black oil sunflower
seeds will attract goldfinches and chickadees, while millet seeds are appealing
to doves and sparrows. If you want to
attract a hummingbird, you will need to include a sugar-water feeder in your
backyard landscaping. A bird feeder,
which is used to house seeds and food for your backyard birds, should be
cleaned regularly.
Just Splashing Around
Believe it or not, a
birdbath is a terrific aspect to include in your landscape if you want native
birds to feel welcome. This single
feature offers birds a way to bathe and drink, which makes your backyard
especially inviting to visiting birds.
It's important to add fresh water regularly and keep birdbaths clean and
free of bacteria buildup. Another
popular water feature, which is great for both landscaping appeal and
attracting birds, is a fountain or waterfall.
The sound of trickling water will serve as an inviting habitat for
birds.
House Hunting
If you want to attract
birds, you need to provide them with a birdhouse. These structures provide a safe environment
for your feathered friends and offer a way for them to feel right at home. When choosing a birdhouse, you must consider
the size of the bird that you will be attracting as the size of the entrance
hole will greatly be determined by the bird that will be using it. A quality birdhouse must have proper
ventilation to ensure proper air circulation, and the drainage capability must
also be considered in order to keep the bird's nest dry and free of any water
buildup.
If you would like to talk about purchasing a home of your own, contact Joseph Militello at (978) 815-3877.
