As we see rapid urbanization and shrinking natural habitats, creating bird-friendly spaces in our own backyards is one way we can support local ecosystems and help maintain biodiversity. Attracting birds to your yard both brings the joy of observing wildlife up close and also supports birds’ survival by offering them food, shelter, and a safe space. Whether you’re a novice birder or a seasoned bird enthusiast, here are some essential tips on how to attract a wide variety of birds—including raptors—to your yard.
Why Creating Bird-Friendly Spaces Matters
Birds play a vital role in the health of our environment. They help control insect populations, pollinate plants, and disperse seeds, all of which contribute to ecosystem stability. In recent years, however, bird populations have been declining due to many reasons including habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. Creating a bird-friendly yard can help alleviate some of these challenges by providing a sanctuary where birds can rest, feed, and breed.
By inviting birds into our outdoor spaces, we’re also fostering an appreciation for nature, which can inspire us to take further actions for conservation. Additionally, birdwatching can be a calming and rewarding activity, promoting mental well-being as well as a sense of connection to the natural world.
How to Attract Birds to Your Yard
Creating a bird-friendly yard involves more than just placing a bird feeder. Here are five tips to transform your outdoor space into a sanctuary that attracts a variety of bird species.
Provide a Variety of Food Sources
Birds are attracted to different types of food depending on their species. Including a variety of feeders can appeal to a wider range of birds. For example,
- Seed feeders ideal for finches, sparrows, and chickadees,
- Nectar feeders attract hummingbirds and orioles,
- Suet feeders provide essential fats for woodpeckers, nuthatches, and wrens, especially during colder months,
- And fruit feeders with offerings such as orange slices or apple halves are great for fruit-loving birds like robins and tanagers.
Planting native trees, shrubs, and flowers can also provide natural food sources, such as berries and nectar, that attract birds and support the local ecosystem.
Never provide meat for raptors. This is considered baiting and can cause predators to lose their fear of humans. Young birds may even come to rely on this food and never learn to hunt, which makes them less likely to survive in the long term. Instead, create an ecosystem that brings birds and mammals to your yard that raptors can hunt.
Offer Fresh Water
A source of clean, fresh water is essential for birds to drink and bathe. Birdbaths are an easy way to provide water, but make sure to clean and refill them regularly to prevent the spread of disease. Moving water, such as a small fountain or dripper, can be particularly attractive to birds, as they’re often drawn to the sound of trickling water.
Create Shelter and Nesting Sites
Birds need places to hide from predators and harsh weather as well as spaces to build nests. Adding dense shrubs, trees, and tall grasses to your yard can provide natural cover and nesting sites. Alternatively, installing birdhouses can encourage species such as bluebirds, wrens, and swallows to make their homes in your yard. When choosing plants, opt for native species, as they’re best suited to local wildlife and require less maintenance.
Avoid Pesticides and Chemicals
Pesticides and herbicides can harm birds directly as well as through contaminating their food sources. Instead of using chemicals, consider organic gardening methods and introduce beneficial insects that naturally control pests. By creating a pesticide-free environment, you’re ensuring a healthier, safer space for birds.
Create Seasonal Interest
Birds are active year-round, and many species migrate, meaning your yard can serve as a stopover for migratory birds if it offers the right resources. Planting a mix of perennials, trees, and shrubs that bloom at different times of the year can provide food and cover throughout all seasons, attracting birds no matter the time of year.
Keep It Clean
Avian Influenza continues to be a hazard for birds. Make sure you regularly clean and replace your water and food sources to prevent the spread of disease. Similarly, ahead of the next nesting season, cleaning out your nest boxes will keep the birds in your yard healthy.
Attracting Raptors to Your Yard
Raptors—including hawks, owls, and falcons—are birds of prey that are fascinating to observe. While attracting smaller birds is straightforward, drawing in raptors requires a bit more planning and understanding of their habits. Raptors are often attracted to open spaces where they can hunt as well as to tall perches for observation and to environments that support a healthy prey population.
Here are the types of raptors you can expect to see and how you can attract them based on your surroundings:
- Coastal: Coastal areas often host species like Osprey and Peregrine Falcons. These birds are drawn to areas with open water and abundant fish populations. Installing tall perches or nesting platforms near water sources can increase your chances of attracting them.
- Urban: Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, and Peregrine Falcons are commonly found in urban areas. These adaptable raptors are attracted to spaces with large trees or tall buildings where they can nest and survey for prey. Setting up a tall perch in an open yard can make your urban space more appealing. Adding a nest box can attract small cavity-nesting raptors like American Kestrels and Screech-owls, which have also adapted to more residential settings.
- Forested: Forested areas are ideal for owls, including Great Horned and Barred Owls. Owls need mature trees for nesting and prefer habitats with diverse rodent populations. Placing a nesting box for owls or preserving large trees can help invite these elusive nocturnal hunters.
Observing raptors and birds of all kinds in your yard can be a powerful reminder of the beauty and complexity of nature. To help protect this beauty and conserve raptor species, consider donating to HawkWatch International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raptor research and conservation.
We strive to conserve our environment through education, long-term monitoring, and scientific research on raptors as indicators of ecosystem health. Whether through donations, volunteer opportunities, or simply spreading the word, your involvement can make a difference in preserving our natural world. Support our work today, help protect these incredible birds, and ensure that future generations can enjoy the thrill of hawkwatching!
