Do you enjoy observing the antics of wild birds as they chatter away to each other? Is a bird song in the morning like music to your ears? If the answer is yes, maybe you should consider creating or improving your garden to will attract ore varieties of bird species to your home.

Naturally, wild birds are attracted to areas that provide food, water and cover (protection from weather and invading predators) and an area nesting. So to create that perfect garden and to attract birds, bird experts recommend careful planning and landscaping to maximize to attract and most diverse numbers of birds to your property. Experts recommend that a perfect habitat will offer birds a variety of native trees, shrubs, ground cover, vines, and wildflowers- each of which will provide both food and shelter.

By nature, birds are drawn to the functional benefits served by plants, which are more important than appearance. Bird enthusiasts are encouraged to choose plants not only based upon attractiveness but also on the purpose that each plant will serve. For example, trees and shrubs are ideal for meeting the needs of local birds. A less spacious garden can still be graced with a variety of useful plants so the size of the garden is not important to attract wild birds. The trick is to know which plants to use and how to properly position them. Another good idea is to grow plants in groups particularly in a smaller garden space.

Garden plants also have different qualities for attracting birds, and plants can be grouped into categories according to these characteristics. One category is the thorny, twiggy, or evergreen flora which provides shelter and protection from predators. Another second is the nut-, fruit-, seed- and nectar-bearing plants are known to provide nourishment.

These are just a few of ideas that bird watchers and bird enthusiasts can consider when trying attracting birds into garden spots and hideaways. With the popularity of birding and with high season upon us, try creating your own bird sanctuary and experience what Mother Nature has to offer by attracting wild birds to your garden. Your planning and effort will be handsomely rewarded.

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1. Wild Bird Rehabilitation, Inc – Caring for Wild Birds
2. Choosing the Perfect Bird House: Part 2
3. The RSPB’s Feed the Birds Day

When selecting the birdhouse keep these hints in mind:

Birds are picky about the size of the house, its height off the ground, and the diameter of the entrance hole. Find out what birds species live in your area, and research what dimensions and entrance holes they prefer. Many common birds in North American prefer a 1 ½ inch (3.8cm) diameter entrance- this includes many swallows, bluebirds, nuthatches and titmice. Several wren species prefer even smaller holes (1 1/8 inch, or 2.9cm). Other birds prefer larger entrance holes as a 2 ¼ inch (6.4cm) hole may be acceptable to a woodpecker or flycatcher. Kestrels and wood ducks need at least a 3-inch (7.6cm) hole. Be aware that, in North America, any hole larger than 1 ½ inches may invite non-native Starlings to move in.

Make the bird house a dry, safe home and make sure that drainage holes and an overhanging roof can keep the baby birds dry. Also, remember to avoid any paints, stains, insect sprays or cleaners on the inside of the birdhouse- fumes from these can kill chicks and adults. Keep in mind birdhouses with an exterior perch just give predators an extra handhold, and that perches may attract non-native house sparrows when you might prefer a native wren or chickadee to move in!

We hope that you find these ideas helpful the next time you may want to build a proper and suitable bird house. If you have any ideas or suggestions about bird house construction then take a peek at our forums under our section called “Bird Keeping” or start a new subject yourself!

Related posts:

1. Choosing the Perfect Bird House: Part 2
2. Costa Rica: A perfect bird-watching holiday
3. Pet Bird Species: Cockatiel – Birds.com