How to Create a Bird-Friendly Garden

Learn how to attract wild birds with more than just a token bird bath and feeder. Wouldn't it be great to have breakfast while watching the antics of feathered friends? A bird-friendly garden combines flora, water sources and a natural setting that attracts birds indigenous to your area. Be mindful also of providing shelter spots for birds to escape from other wildlife, such as predatory birds or cats. What does it take to set up this avian oasis in your yard?

Know your wild birds

Is the Blue Jay a common sight in your area? Black oil sunflower seeds are a must! What about the starling? Have seeds and suet at your feeders, but be mindful that the starling will fight -- and win -- against bluebirds. Sparrows are another great addition to the backyard; scatter seeds below the birdfeeder. In short, know the types of birds that live in your area and create a bird garden with their needs in mind.

Vary the flora

While many a garden bird cannot resist a juicy bug, there are others that prefer seeds. Plant a flower garden that attracts a wide range of insects and include grasses to supply seeds. Do not be afraid of growing different types of trees in the backyard, and remember to include some fruit trees. Birds love apples, and I have had plenty of wild parrots come to the yard in search of these treats.

Offer food and water

In addition to native insect-friendly as well as seed-bearing plants, install a few bird feeders. I have a standard suet holder, a seed tube and also a humming bird feeder placed in different areas of the yard. Water comes from a trickling bird bath. (Opt for a bird bath with moving water to keep mosquito populations at a minimum.)

A word on shelter

A couple of nest boxes and trees with thick foliage provide plenty of shelter during all of the seasons. A grape vine that is left to grow wildly during the summer offers hiding spots. Dense hedges allow for escapes from local predatory birds, such as hawks.

A bird-friendly garden is a natural garden

Bid your pesticides and herbicides farewell. To create a garden that birds will frequent, you must not poison their food sources or allow any chemicals to get into the water. In addition, do not be afraid to let plants grow for a while without cutting back.

Even though we prune as needed, we let the grapevines grow as they see fit and do not mind that flowers go to seed. The grass is a bit longer than absolutely necessary and I don't feel the need to lighten the yard's dark and damp corner (birds love worms!).

Discouraging predators

Cats, skunks, squirrels and raccoons as well as possums are just some of the backyard visitors here in the L.A. area. I have started to clip back the lowest branches of shrubs, which in the past were hiding spots for cats in search of a meal. Squirrel-proof the bird feeder and provide natural shelter; before long the predators will move on to an easier setting.

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