We at Great Salt Lake Audubon love birds, but we realize they may not be the most interesting creatures to everyone, especially when they can usually only be seen from a distance. Inviting birds to visit your yard is a great way to become more familiar with their beautiful features and quirky behaviors.
Interested in attracting birds to your yard? Check out these articles, tips, and activities below!
Lesson 1: What birds need in a habitat
There are many safe, environmentally friendly ways you can attract birds right to your own yard for closer observation. Here are a few things birds will be looking for when they are scoping out possible favorite dining spots:
Is it safe?
Birds will be on the lookout for anything that might pose a threat to them. They may be less likely to frequent a yard that has roaming cats, yappy dogs, or a lot of other activity. Some areas may pose a danger to them without their knowledge. Some pesticides or herbicides can harm more than the intended pest.
Windows can also pose a threat to unsuspecting birds. Placing bird feeders far enough away from (or close enough to) your house can help feeding birds avoid striking your windows. There are also numerous techniques for marking or blocking your windows so they don't pose as much of a threat to flying birds. This article gives some tips on helping birds avoid window collisions.
Outdoor cats pose a significant danger to birds. It is estimated that hundreds of millions of birds are killed each year by cats. Read here for more information on why to keep cats inside.
Is there food?
Birds will not only be on the lookout for an easy meal from a feeder, but for flowers and trees that may provide them with tasty nectar, seeds, or bugs. Their idea of an ideal meal spot will have a variety of food sources available to them.
Bird feeders should be maintained and cleaned regularly to reduce risk of spreading diseases. For a variety of birds, try a variety of feeders and bird food!
Is there water?
Although it's not a requirement (birds can find water elsewhere), water can do wonders for attracting birds to your yard! Water sources can be bird baths, bubbling fountains, or small streams. Just be sure to clean and care for whatever source you provide, as dirty and contaminated water sources can do more harm than good for little creatures.
Is there shelter?
An area can be safe without having much for shelter, and a sheltered area isn't necessarily safe. The best shelter is in the form of natural trees and shrubs, but birds will use man-made structures to nest in or escape the weather. If it was particularly hot, cold, or windy, think about whether there is an area in your yard birds may use to escape the elements.
Thick trees and shrubs don't only protect birds from the sun or rain, they also provide birds a safe place to hide away if they see a predator. Bird feeders that are hung low to the ground in an open area can lead to your birds to becoming an easy target for cats or hawks. The more shelter, the better!
Lesson 2: More on Avoiding Window Collisions
Make one change to your yard to make it safer for birds!
Here are some examples of things you can do:
- Move bird feeders closer than 3’ or further than 30’ from your windows
- Keep your cats inside
- Put up window decals or another product to keep birds from striking your windows
- Plant a bird-friendly plant
- Add a water feature or bird bath to your yard
Activity: DIY Pinecone Feeder
If you don't have a lot in the way of trees and plants, you can attract birds with feeders. Reusable feeders should be cleaned and maintained to reduce the risk of spreading disease and bacteria. Although there are LOADS of beautiful, creative, bird feeding devices out there, there are several DIY designs you can make with materials you already have. One of my favorites is this Pinecone Bird Feeder:
Materials
- Pinecones*
- Peanut butter, sun butter, or honey
- Bird seed
- String
*You can also use a toilet paper roll, or even a stick. Just be sure you return to collect anything that must be thrown away. I prefer to use pinecones and prop them in the branches instead of using string, just in case I forget to go back out and collect the trash I've left in the tree. No waste!
Steps
- Cover your pinecone with peanut butter (use sun butter or honey for a nut-free alternative).
- Roll the pinecone in a bowl of bird seed.
- Tie string to your pinecone (remember to come back for it when the seeds are gone).
- Hang and enjoy!
It may take several days, or even weeks, for your feeders to be discovered, but once they are the seeds will go quickly! These pinecones can be left in the tree (minus their strings), or refilled.
Activity: Popsicle Stick Platform Feeder
This is a fun little feeder that requires a little more prep and is better suited for older children to make. This feeder would be a great addition to your DIY Pinecone Feeder, but be sure to set it up on a calm day and to take it down in bad weather.
Materials
- 26 popsicle sticks Glue ( you can use any or a combo of the options: hot glue, Elmer’s glue, or wood glue)
- String/twine or yarn
- Scissors
- Bird Seed - black oil sunflower seeds, millet, oats, cracked corn, mealworms, nyjer seed, etc.