Attracting Wild Birds

Attracting wild birds to your backyard can be very rewarding if you follow some basic guidelines. There are four (4) important elements to offer in your backyard to ensure numerous and frequent visits by wild birds:

ELEMENT #1: Food for Birds

To attract the widest variety of birds, you should consider placing a wide variety of bird feeders and food around your backyard. Consider different types of feeding stations such as a seed bird feeder for seed eating birds and suet feeders for insect eating birds.

ELEMENT #2: Shelter & Nesting Sites

Birds feel more secure if they have shelter to protect themselves from the elements and predators. Trees and large shrubs are welcome as places to raise and protect their young. Consider offering a bird house in the Spring. Plant native trees and shrubs that provide cover and nesting materials to attract birds.

ELEMENT #3: Water for Birds

One of the single most important elements to include in your backyard bird habitat is water. A bird bath acts like a magnet to attract most wild birds and will draw them from greater distances for a cool drink or bath.

ELEMENT #4: Variety of Foliage & Habitat for Birds

Wild birds live in a great variety of habitats. Offer food, water and nest sites at all levels including:

1. grass or ground cover (2" to 1')
2. shrubs (2' to 5')
3. small trees (5' to 15')
4. tall trees (15' to 40')

Also consider plants and foliage that produce berries, seeds, fruits, nuts, sap and nectar for year round food, as well as to provide nesting materials. Pine trees offer the best shelter and food for wild birds.

See our List of
Plants for Attracting Birds

If you really want to get serious about a backyard habitat for birds, get involved with the National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat Program. It officially acknowledges the efforts of people who garden for wildlife. If you qualify, you will receive a personal registration certificate, registration number and be placed in their national register of backyard wildlife habitats.

A variety of plants and trees that offer shelter, food and nesting materials will keep beautiful songbirds in your yard!

Many birds welcome a man made bird house for shelter!

A bird bath is a great way to attract birds to your garden.

Offer plenty of bird feeders to your backyard birds!

Water is VERY important to birds in winter. Keep your birdbath ice-free with our BEST SELLING bird bath heater.