Pixabay

Birds are pretty cool in any case, but having them hanging out in your yard so you can enjoy watching them any time is very cool. Watching birds is a relaxing and enjoyable pastime, and one that can be enjoyed at home for very little expense. The trick to all of this can be figuring out how to attract birds you want to see.

Bird Baths

Pixabay

Birds are often happy to find a bird bath to get a drink or splash around, but migrating birds may have moved on before they discover the water. You can make it easier for birds to find the water source by also using a drip hose or fountain pump so that they can hear the water. Making sure that birds can hear and see the water can help to attract birds to your yard.

Variety Of Food

Pixabay

Birds eat different types of food. Only having one type of bird food out may limit the kind of birds that will want to visit. Offering a variety of food can help to attract the birds. Some birds, like hummingbirds, will require special feeders or certain types of flowers in order to attract them.

What kind of food should you put out for birds? It depends which kind of birds you are trying to attract, but here are some ideas.

• Black-Oil Sunflower
• Suet (also good for attracting bears)
• Nectar
• Seed mixes
• Thistle or nyjer
• Peanuts
• Cracked corn
• Millet

Safety First

Pixabay

Prowling cats are one common concern when trying to attract birds. Having to worry about being another critter’s lunch while trying to eat lunch can discourage birds and keep them away. Birds often like to perch somewhere safe to check out a feeder before flying in to eat. Providing a safe space between bird feeders or baths and anywhere a cat could hide can help keep birds feeling safe and coming to eat or play. Make sure there are places where birds can safely perch to check out the feeder as well.

Leftovers

Pixabay

Some birds prefer to eat on the ground instead of on a feeder. These birds will instead feast on seeds or food that other birds have dropped to the ground. Some birds also prefer to eat insects from the ground, so leaving some mulch on the ground can provide a feast for these birds.

Helping Our Feathered Friends

Pixabay

Providing a safe habitat for birds can actually help the birds in addition to letting you watch them. Whether providing a safe stopover for migrating birds or food for other birds during a long, hard winter, maintaining a good bird habitat can be a big help.

Do you have a bird habitat at your house? What are your tips for attracting the birds you want?

Comments

comments