You can attract birds to your yard for your own enjoyment—and to help them survive. Photo: Lamar_us, Flickr.
You may be looking for sources of comfort during this uncertain time. This would be a good time to encourage birds to visit your yard. You can enjoy watching these beautiful creatures and listening to bird songs. And you can do something good for the earth.
Birds are vanishing
You may have read that bird populations have dropped sharply. The New York Times reported last fall that birds are vanishing from North America. The number of birds in the United States and Canada has declined by 3 billion, or 29 percent, over the past half-century.
According to the Times, a study published in Science found that even commonly abundant birds, such as robins and sparrows, have seen steep declines. The data is based on a broad survey of more than 500 species.
There are likely many causes for the decline. Most important are habitat loss and wider use of pesticides.
We all know that birds are important for many reasons. They help to control pests and they pollinate flowers. They spread seeds and help forests to regenerate.
How you can help: attract birds to your yard
To attract birds and wildlife to your landscape, you need to provide three things: water, food and shelter.
Water
- Provide a birdbath, garden pond or other source of water. This will act as a magnet to birds and other animals.
- Keep plants near the water source pruned low so cats can’t hide nearby and attack birds. Cats are a major threat to birds.
- Change the water often so it is fresh and clean.
Food
- Most birds prefer to eat insects. Plant nectar-producing plants and allow some wild areas, as described above. This will attract beneficial insects and provide food for birds.
- Avoid the use of pesticides, which can kill birds and the insects they eat. In Harmony’s natural lawn, tree and shrub care services help plants thrive without pesticides.
Shelter
- Birds and other wildlife need places for refuge and nesting. Plant a wide array of shrubs and trees in different sizes and heights to attract diverse bird species.
- Leave snags (dead trees) if they are not safety hazards. Bird houses can provide shelter if you have no snags. And leave dead branches as perches for birds.
Ideas for plantings
- In Harmony can help you design a landscape that will attract birds and provide shelter.
- Great Plant Picks has a long list of plants for birds.
- The Washington Native Plant Society has a great list of resources for birds, bees and wildlife.
- Hansen’s Northwest Native Plant database has lists by category: ferns, perennials, shrubs, trees and wetlands.
- Houzz has a list of top 10 native plants for the Pacific Northwest.
Become a Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has a Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary program to help people manage wildlife around their homes and property. The department acknowledges efforts to provide habitat for wildlife through a certification program.
Find out more about the program and sign up to make your landscape an official Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary on the department’s website.
Learn more about birds
You can learn more about bird identification and behavior on some comprehensive websites. There are also birding apps for your mobile phone.
- All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Guide to North American Birds, Audubon
- Bird Identification Guide, Birdwatchers Digest
- The Best Birding Apps and Field Guides, Audubon
