If you have dense vegetation it will attract birds along with providing shelter, sites for nesting, and protection from their predators. Coniferous trees and the denser deciduous types will attract many
species of bird. Their cover should include both dead and live vegetation. If you plant a dead tree or hang up some branches that have no leaves it can add stark beauty to a garden plus they provide perches for the birds. Trees will be a main feature in a garden, in most areas, but there are many seed-eating birds that live on the ground or near to it that would rather have bushes, flowers, and brush piles.
The food mainstay of the bird's diet should be in the form of native plants, and the feed you place in birdfeeders should only supplement their natural forage. Most of our coniferous trees will attract insects which in turn will provide food for many species of birds. The shrubs bearing berries and trees that bear fruit will provide food for robins, waxwings, and mocking-birds.
You should only use the native plants to your area in your garden. Native deciduous trees such as aiders, some oaks, maples, and dogwood will provide better forage for the birds than the exotic trees. Birds have a tendency to avoid some non-native species such as acacias because they will not attract the
native insects. Eucalyptus trees can sometimes even be dangerous, as native birds have not acquired the subtle adaptations that are needed to eat from this source. Many of the shortbeaked nectar feeders, such as some kinglets and warblers, will have trouble removing the pitch of eucalypts off their bills and may even sometimes suffocate as a result. Try not to use any pesticides. Even though they have little effect on humans they can be quite harmful to the birds.
Water is a very important factor to attracting birds to your
garden. If you have a larger property, a pond might possibly attract geese, ducks, herons, and maybe some migrating shorebirds late in the summer and fall. In smaller areas, a small pond that has a recirculating stream just might bring migrant orioles, warblers, tanagers, and vireos along with some of the resident towhees, jays, and thrashers to drink and bathe. If there are overhanging branches and some thick cover nearby these birds will keep coming back year after year. Birdbaths can be very attractive to just about any backyard. Those that recirculate the water are much more appealing to the birds. A birdbath does not need to be a regular birdbath but can also be a backyard fountain.
Creating a garden for birds needs to be a
haven that is safe for our fine feathered friends. Take note on the type of birds you want visiting your backyard and find out what type of plants they prefer. As long as you provide them with natural food, water, and shelter you should not have any problems attracting them and listening to their individual songs. You can also provide them with birdseed but it should not be their main source of food.
