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Attracting Birds to Your Yard
To attract birds to your yard, you must provide
water, food and shelter. To entice them to stay, you
must also provide a fourth thing - a safe place to
raise their young. Here are some tips:
Water:
- Use birdbaths to supply water for bathing and
drinking.
- The water should be less than two inches deep
(so the birds can bathe comfortably) and must be
kept clean.
- Birdbaths should be placed in a shady location
if possible; adding a source of running water
(such as a dripping hose or recirculating pump)
will make the water more appealing.
- Shallow dishes filled with water can be
substituted for traditional birdbaths.
- Use large plastic plant saucers, or other
sturdy shallow objects.
- Placing the water source on a pedestal or
stump or hanging it from tree limb will give
birds a better view of predators.
Food:
- To provide an ample supply of "bird
food," plant a wide variety of flowering and
fruit-bearing plants, as well as varieties that
attract insects (a great protein source for
birds). Oaks, hickories and maples are all good
choices.
Shelter:
- Appropriate shelter for birds doesn't
necessarily mean a birdhouse; birds will nest in
most trees that provide protection from harsh
weather and predators (such as hawks and cats).
- Evergreens and dense shrubs are ideal choices
for good shelter.
Home for young:
- Birdhouses provide both shelter and nesting sites.
- Different species have different housing
requirements, but you can find houses for
everything from orioles to owls.
- Make sure the house is weather-resistant and
well-ventilated, and place it with the entrance
hole facing away from prevailing winds.
- Be sure to clean it out after each nesting
season.
By following these simple guidelines, you can
provide a new home for a wide variety of beautiful
birds. To further enhance your yard, consider planting
a hummingbird or butterfly garden.
Thank you for supporting Project Wildlife’s
Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Program and helping to
replace lost habitats...One Backyard at a Time.
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