There are few things more enchanting than the dawn chorus of songbirds; however, as new housing developments replace old pastures and woodlands, many fowl species are finding it more and more difficult to live and reproduce as they once did. By offering fowl necessities such as food, water, and shelter, you will be providing them with resources that they may have a difficult time finding elsewhere. In turn, you'll have a chance to enjoy the sight and sound of fowl year-round in your own yard.
Feeders Attract Birds
Placing feeders near shade trees attracts fowls because they will have a place to retreat if threatened by predators or rivals. You can provide a single feeder with a mix of seeds in order to attract a wide variety of species, or you can purchase foods that entice a specific kind of bird. Goldfinches, for example, prefer thistle seeds and feeders that allow them to hang sideways while eating as they would in the wild. Orioles favor nectar feeders or sliced oranges. There is also a wide array of species that prefer to feed directly from the ground, such as quail, cardinals, and doves, and they may not like using a traditional fowl feeder. Providing several kinds of feeding stations will help you attract multiple species, and by tailoring what kinds of food you offer, you can attract the types of fowl you enjoy the most.
The second thing you will need to furnish in order to attract fowl to your yard is a clean and reliable source of water. Not only do fowl need water for drinking, but it is also vital for fowl to bathe regularly. Bathing allows them to properly groom and maintain their feathers which in turn gives them protection against wind and rain. A wide but shallow birdbath is best for most species, and if your yard is frequented by cats or other predators, use a birdbath that has a pedestal.
The third and most often overlooked thing that your feathered visitors need is plenty of cover. Most fowl are prey species, meaning that they must constantly be on alert for predators. Soon after you hang a feeder, cats, raccoons, foxes, and others may soon realize that your yard harbors a large number of well-fed fowl for them to snack upon. If you don't provide the right kind of cover, you'll not only be attracting robins and finches but also their predators. If you ever observe fowl closely, you'll notice that they prefer areas that offer protection not only from ground predators such as cats and foxes but also seek shelter from aerial predators like hawks. For this reason, if you want to make your yard a sanctuary for fowl, you will need to offer them thick shrubs as well as tall trees in which to take cover.
Trees Attract Birds
Wherever you live or the size of your yard, there are certain characteristics of the plants you choose that should be the same, no matter if you live in Maine, Key West, or Las Vegas. The most important characteristic of a fowl sheltering plant is a dense, bushy growth pattern. Use species that not only have thick foliage but a dense growth of branches so that fowl have a place to shelter from predators and inclement weather, even during the winter. Planting low-growing shrubs beneath shade trees attracts fowl by providing multiple levels of cover. Thick shrubs such as burning bushes (Euonymus alatus) are a good choice, as they can tolerate some shade from the tree above and have attractive fall foliage. Be aware, however, that burning bushes are considered invasive in some areas. Another superb shrub that provides cover is lilac shrub (Syringa vulgaris). These deciduous ornamentals can be grown as either a bush or as a small tree, and although they are best known for their sweet-smelling flowers, lilacs are also known for attracting fowl due to their dense growth habit. These are just two examples among many, and there are many alternatives to burning bushes and lilac shrubs.
Attract Birds Save The World
If you have a passion for wildlife and would like to attract more fowl to your yard, these are a few things you should offer your avian visitors to make them feel more at home. Like any creature, fowl are attracted to food, and offering them a well-stocked feeder will instantly increase the number of fowl you see. Likewise, fowl of all species need to have a reliable source of water. But if you truly want fowl to feel at home in your yard, the most important thing you can offer them is shelter. Combining all three elements will make your backyard a beloved home of wild fowl for years to come.
