Attracting Birds - The Basics to Get Them Headed to Your Backyard.

Attracting birds to your backyard is not as difficult as you might think.

For those of you that are not sure how to attract birds to your backyard please don't fret. There really are only a few basic things that you need to do to attract birds.

The birds that you might attract may vary depending on where you live, but the basic principals remain the same. We cover each section on this page with links to more detailed pages as well.

Fun Fact: A good water supply will attract more birds than a good feeder.

The first thing on our list is feeding them. Obviously enough, they do have to eat and it is best to serve them what they want.

This is actually called a tube feeder

Not all birds eat the same thing though. Some eat just insects, some both insects and seed, but not all birds eat all types of wild bird seed. The second thing and maybe more important than food is water.

Birds can usually find food, but not always water. Having a good clean water supply for both drinking and bathing is very important when you want to attract birds to your backyard. This is especially true in the winter time.

The other two important things in attracting birds to your yard is to give them shelter so they have a place to nest and proper landscaping so they have habitat they are safe in and feel comfortable with.

Feeding Them

There are many different varieties of bird feeders on the market today. You can make simple ones yourself or you can buy styles that range anywhere from plain to unique and elaborate.

When you boil it all down though there are just a few basic styles of feeders and anything you can buy would probably fit into one of those categories.

This style feeder is called a platform feeder.

The other basic styles are a hopper style, a tube feeder, a suet feeder and a nectar style.

Just follow this link to the wild bird feeders section of our site. All these types of feeders are covered there. Birds do need a good and reliable food source, especially during the rough winter months.

Also we have information on keeping your bird feeders clean. This is something that is very important and most people tend to forget this.

When looking for a feeder, make sure they are made of sturdy construction, tight fitting to keep the seed dry, easy to put together and take apart and easy to clean.

The other thing you will need is the right food for what ever bird you are trying to attract. Not all birds eat all food. We do have a section that discusses bird food. You can head there now for more information.

Give Them Water

When attracting wild birds a good reliable source of clean water is actually more important than a food source. Birds can generally find food, but clean safe water is not always that easy to come by. Bird baths can provide good drinking water and water to bath and splash in.

This is a simple bird bath. Not extravagant or elaborate, but very effective for attracting birds.

Having a well maintained bird bath can do more to attract birds to your backyard than a good feeder. It could even attract birds that your feeder doesn't.

You can buy bird baths that are heated for winter use or unheated, unique and elaborate or simple in nature and everything in between. No matter what you decide to buy though, there are some basic things that you want in a bird bath. Just follow our link to that section of our site.

Fun Fact: Birds are attracted to the sound of moving water.

The noisier the better. This sound is like a magnet to birds and it will bring them to your yard quicker than almost anything else.

Give Them Shelter

Birds need shelter from the elements and predators. They also need a place to nest. Provide what they want and they will come.

Not every bird will stay in a bird house though. You need to decide what types of birds you are trying to attract and that could dictate which kind or size of bird house you use.

For example you might want swallows or purple marlins in your yard. You might have a bug problem where you live and these birds eat bugs such as mosquitoes, but each would need a slightly different house size.

This is a simple house for wren.

Really in the end know your geography. Know what birds are in your area and that is where you concentrate your efforts.

Now that we live in Montana we basically don't get to see humming birds anymore. We aren't happy about it, but we do need to deal with it so we concentrate on the birds that do come here.

We talk about wooden bird houses in great detail in a different spot of this site. Just follow the link for additional information.

Landscaping For Birds

Depending on the size of your backyard and what you have to work with, landscaping can go a long way in attracting birds to your backyard. Not only can your yard become a comfortable and pleasing place for you, but for your backyard birds as well.

With the proper set up, your yard could offer all that birds look for. Food that is more natural like bugs and insects, water, shelter, shade, protection and even nesting material.

Hopefully you have found this information and our additional sections within this site helpful to attracting birds to your backyard.

As our site matures we hope to offer some basic landscaping ideas and things you can do to your yard to attract birds. When that link is available just follow it to your backyard heaven.

Coming soon Grandpas Store

SBI!

Attracting Birds To Your Backyard