Garden Landscaping 8 Ways to Attract More Birds to Your Yard, According to Experts For a yard full of bird melody, follow these easy tips for enticing them to come near. By Heather Bien Heather Bien Heather Bien is a writer experience contributing to some of the industry's top lifestyle, design, and wedding websites. She's covered event planning ideas and tips, weddings both traditional and eclectic, and she brings her love and knowledge of art history and design to every celebration she covers. Editorial Guidelines Published on June 19, 2024 Close Photo: Stanley45 / Getty Images Whether you love the sound of songbirds fluttering across your garden, you want to bring eager pollinators to your native plants, or you’ve reached that point in life where bird watching is now one of your hobbies, there are several ways you can attract more birds to your yard. Birds look for the basics to survive and thrive, which means you can attract birds to any size yard as long as there is food, water, and shelter. "Even a small yard, thoughtfully planned, can create a habitat for many different kinds of birds," says Tod Winston, birding guide and urban biodiversity specialist with the NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon). Types of Birds You'll Attract Colorful, common bird species that could visit your yard include cardinals, jays, goldfinches, orioles, woodpeckers, and fan-favorite hummingbirds, and each of these can be seen in urban areas, especially when bird feeders are present. Winston notes that mockingbirds, wrens, and thrushes are also popular birds to bring near your home because of their delightful songs. But don’t dismiss those just passing through. "Beautiful migratory species, including warblers, tanagers, grosbeaks, and vireos, also stop through suburban and urban communities in the spring and fall," says Winston. "Many bird lovers are particularly excited to attract these less common visitors to their yards." Ready to turn your garden into a bird-watching paradise? Here are eight ways to attract more birds to your yard. Tod Winston, birding guide and urban biodiversity specialist with the NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon). How to Attract Birds to Your Birdhouse—and Keep Other Critters Away 01 of 08 Fill Your Yard With Native Plants Sandra J / 500px / Getty Images Native birds thrive on native plants. Before you think about bird feeders (which are also important!), focus on the flowers, shrubs, and trees that are naturally occurring in your region. With these, you’re providing the birds with the fruit, seeds, nectar, and insects they need to survive season after season. "Creating a habitat in this way provides what birds need, naturally, all year long—including during migration, nesting season, and the winter. This will greatly increase the diversity of birds you see," says Winston. Want More Birds In Your Yard? Grow These Plants and Trees 02 of 08 Install Bird Feeders Suma Hedge / Getty Images "Supplementing natural foods with bird feeders is also a fun way to attract many species and see them up close," says Winston. Birds like cardinals, jays, finches, chickadees, and sparrows are particularly drawn to seed feeders, while suet and peanut butter draw woodpeckers and nuthatches. If you want the thrill of seeing a hummingbird up close, hang a sugar-water feeder. Note that placing feeders within 3 feet of windows can help keep birds safe by reducing collisions with glass, according to researchers. Once you’ve committed to supplying bird feeders, make sure to keep them stocked and clean. The Right Way to Clean a Bird Feeder, According to an Ornithologist 03 of 08 Plant Native Shrubs and Trees for Nesting Getty Images Beyond supplying food, native shrubs and trees are also necessary for shelter and nesting. While birds are adaptable, they’re going to seek out the places their instincts recognize, and those are the places that will evolve to accommodate them year-round. "If you have a forested area in your yard, leave dead branches and snags that provide nesting places for woodpeckers, as well as other cavity-nesting species such as chickadees, titmice, wrens, and bluebirds," says Winston. "Include native evergreens to supply important shelter from the cold." 04 of 08 Put Nest Boxes in Your Yard db beyer / Getty Images While many birds build recognizable bird nests, others prefer to nest in cavities. For these birds, which include wrens, nuthatches, and bluebirds, place a nesting box in your yard. This can be mounted on a tree or a pole. 8 Birdhouses That Will Bring All the Birds to Your Yard 05 of 08 Leave Leaf Litter and Unmowed Areas Ali Majdfar / Getty Images "Leave leaf litter and un-mowed areas under trees and shrubs to provide important shelter for both birds and the insects they need," says Winston. While these areas might seem like an eyesore to you, they’re a critical piece of the landscape that protects birds. If they’re given a choice between a pristinely landscaped yard and one that feels more untouched, they will probably be drawn to the one that resembles their natural habitat. Clover Lawns Are the Landscaping Trend That Calls for Just 4 Mowings Per Year 06 of 08 Put a Bird Bath in Your Yard David Arment / Getty Images A bird bath isn’t just a pretty decorative feature. "A well-tended bird bath can greatly increase the diversity of birds that nest in your yard, visit during migration, and spend the winter—and if the bird bath is well-placed, you can sit back and enjoy the show as warblers, grosbeaks, and more stop to drink and wash up," says Winston. But, of course, a bird bath can also become a spot where bacteria and insects can thrive, so make sure you clean it regularly and replace the water every few days. 07 of 08 Add a Water Feature Jessica Holden Photography / Getty Images If you want to go one step further when it comes to birds and water, consider adding a moving water feature to your yard. "Birds are particularly attracted to the sound of running water, so adding a small trickle or drip to your bath will reap rewards," Winston says. You could also try a fountain or a small pond with a pump. Now you’ve created a bird-friendly garden and a relaxing space for you to enjoy your new avian friends. 08 of 08 Focus on Color Marcia Straub / Getty Images Birds have incredibly sensitive, sharp vision, and they spot the best places to eat and sleep based on the color of flowers and foliage. By planting colorful flowers, shrubs, and trees, you’ll draw in birds looking for their next meal or place to sit and hang out for a while. How to Create a Garden That Blooms With Color All Year Long Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit