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.

Eastern bluebird on a fence with flowers
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).

01 of 08

Fill Your Yard With Native Plants

Hummingbird and zinnias

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.

02 of 08

Install Bird Feeders

Three birds on a feeder

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.

03 of 08

Plant Native Shrubs and Trees for Nesting

Birds nest in a holly shrub

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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

Bird on nest box

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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. 

05 of 08

Leave Leaf Litter and Unmowed Areas

Bird in leaf litter

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.

06 of 08

Put a Bird Bath in Your Yard

Birdbath in garden

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

Bird flying towards water fountain

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

Colorful flowers with bird

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.

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