The shrinking natural habitat of birds makes chirping birds such as sparrows, sparrows, and blue cucak birds, as well as other birds that can entertain with their beautiful colors and sounds, increasingly rare. However, you can still try to be both a bird enthusiast and a homeowner by turning your backyard into a suitable place for all your favorite bird species. Bird food and baths, as well as safe nesting sites will make your yard more attractive to birds, and you'll be amazed at how many species of birds come.
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Method 1 of 3: Providing Bird Food
Step 1. Find out about the birds around you
Find out what kinds of birds live near you, or which may pass by where you live while migrating. You may need to purchase a local bird guide to find out which birds you can invite close by. Strive to create a suitable environment for a variety of bird species. However, keep in mind that you can also attract other bird species depending on the season.
Step 2. Decide where to feed the birds
The type of bird feeder you choose will affect the type of bird that approaches. However, whatever type of bird feeder you choose your bird feeder must meet several key standards, namely, it must be difficult for squirrels to reach, it must be able to keep the food inside dry, and it must be easy enough to clean. Bird food containers should be washed regularly so that the food in them does not grow mold or become a source of disease. Commonly used bird feeders include:
- Tray feeder (tray feeder). The shape of this food holder is flat and quite simple, and it is easy for birds to reach when eating. The drawback is that bird food is also easily accessible to squirrels and is also not protected from the effects of the weather.
- Closed food places (house feeders). In this type of food container, the food is quite protected and will come out when the bird starts to eat from the small tray located at the bottom.
- Bird feeder in the window (window feeder). This food holder fits in your window and comes with a food cup, so you can enjoy all the bird activities with ease. This feeding ground will attract chickadees, sparrows, and several types of sparrows.
- Place for fatty food (suet feeder). These food holders are made to hold fatty foods, which can attract woodpeckers, seed-eaters, and chickadees.
- Tube-shaped food container (tube feeder). Use this type of food container to invite hummingbirds. This food holder will release the sugar water through the tube.
Step 3. Prepare seeds and other bird food
Birds will be attracted to the yard if you provide food. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Do you know what kind of bird species you want to invite close? If you want to invite a variety of native species of birds, you should provide more than one type of bird feeder, as well as a variety of bird food. Of course there will be birds you don't want to approach--a common sparrow, dove, or crow--but by choosing your bird food grains well, you can maximize the chances of getting the bird you want close by.
- Corn is a favorite food for almost all bird species, but it's best to give it sparingly--because it can attract all kinds of other animals. You should also pay attention to the source of the corn, as cheap corn may be contaminated with pesticides, which can be harmful to birds.
- Sunflower seeds are loved by all grain-eating birds, so they are appropriate if you want a wide variety of birds to approach. However, you should often collect sunflower seeds in one place. In addition, these seeds can also attract squirrels closer.
- White millet seeds are a favorite food of cardinals, quail, sparrows, doves, and crows. This food can also attract house sparrows and other animals. Hummingbirds love to drink sugar water, while safflower seeds are perfect for inviting cardinals, chickadees, doves, sparrows, and grosbeaks.
- Suet, or fat around the organs of cattle and sheep can attract woodpeckers, seed-eaters, jays and starlings. Peanut butter is a food that is suitable to be given during the winter, because it is high in nutrients. However, make sure the peanut butter you give does not contain added ingredients.
Step 4. Know what foods to avoid
Birds are easily poisoned by food that is contaminated or contains ingredients that are difficult to digest. Be sure to buy a high-quality grain or suet. Some cheap bird food manufacturers sometimes cut corners, so consider buying a more expensive brand of bird food. Here are some examples of foods you should avoid:
- Bread, pastries, and other refined carbohydrates do not provide the birds with adequate nutrition and may contain toxic ingredients. Smoked meat fat and other meats contain harmful nitrate compounds. Both of them can actually invite rats.
- Cheap bird food often contains uneaten "filling grains" such as red and yellow millet, oats and flaxseed. Be sure to check the ingredients in the bird food you buy.
Step 5. Install the bird feeder in a secure location
If you want your dining area close enough that you can see it from inside your house, install it 90 cm from your window. Don't attach it any further, as it could potentially cause the bird to hit the window (an accident that results in the deaths of millions of birds every year). The bird's feeding area must also be far enough from the tree branch so that the squirrels cannot reach it from the tree.
Step 6. Take care of the bird feeder
You should change bird food regularly and clean the place with soap and water every few weeks. Otherwise, bird droppings, fungi, and bacteria can contaminate the bird's feeding area and the food in it, putting the bird at risk of becoming sick. Increase the frequency of cleaning during the rainy season, as moist food is more susceptible to mold attack. Because it is also contaminated, and can invite nuisance animals, bird food that falls on the ground should be cleaned immediately.
Step 7. Add the fine flakes
Birds do not have teeth and only rely on an organ called the chewing stomach to digest their food. To function properly, the chewing hull needs fine debris--such as sand, gravel, or other rock. You can help your bird digest its food by adding fine, water-insoluble chips (such as stone chips or gravel) or water-soluble fine pieces (such as bone chips, clam shell powder, or eggshell powder). Egg shells have a dual function, because they can also provide the calcium that birds need to lay eggs.
Method 2 of 3: Preparing the Bird's Nest
Step 1. Plant trees, shrubs and native plants nearby
Use your local farming guide or contact your local Audubon Society office (if you live in the US). Nearby trees, shrubs, and native plants are more likely to attract birds than other plants. In addition, a variety of trees, bushes, and grasses will also be a natural protector for birds.
- Perennial evergreens such as holly trees will be home to birds throughout the winter.
- Many birds are attracted to fruits and berries, so consider planting apple trees or blueberry bushes.
Step 2. Make a house or box for the bird's nest
Different species of birds will make their nests in different places, so it's a good idea to find out information about the bird you want to invite close by. If you're planning to buy a birdhouse or build a box for a bird's nest, keep in mind that different holes, shapes, and directions will attract different species of birds. Box for bird's nest that can be hung on a tree or pole. Make sure to install the box no later than February if you live in the Southern Hemisphere; but if you live in the northern hemisphere, install the box in March.
Make sure the bird's nesting area can be aired smoothly, and is equipped with doors and barriers so as to prevent bird predators from entering
Step 3. Make a bird's nest with natural materials
If you want to create a more natural bird's nest, an easy way is to let the grass in your yard grow thick. Let the grass grow thick in a certain spot or pile up your grass clippings. Conditions like this resemble the natural habitat of birds in the wild. You can also add tree branches to raise the grass pile, or create a hidden place under the grass pile by placing mulch at the bottom.
- Consider preparing natural materials for the bird's nest, such as yarn, hair, or other fibre, or fill a netting bag with thread, straw, animal hair, clothing debris, and anything else the bird might need to build the nest.
- Do not cut down a dead tree unless it is potentially dangerous. Dead trees that remain upright are important nesting sites for birds, as well as a food source for many species, such as woodpeckers that will eat insects from dead trees.
Method 3 of 3: Make Your Page More Attractive
Step 1. Prepare a water source
Birds are attracted to the sound of dripping water or running water. You can buy a bird bath or build a small pond equipped with a fountain. Make sure it is close to the ground and not made of a slippery material. If you don't have much time to spare, hang a perforated container filled with water on a plate. Try not to place water sources near trees or bushes where cats are hiding. In addition, make sure the water depth is no more than 2.5 cm.
Consider using a warm spring during the winter. To keep it clean, look for a water container that is easy to clean. Make sure the water doesn't stagnate or grow algae
Step 2. Avoid pesticides
Pesticides are very dangerous because they can cause various problems for the health of birds. First, pesticides can kill a major food source for some species. Second, the chemicals in pesticides are harmful if ingested by birds. To attract birds to your yard, use natural materials to control insect growth in your yard, trees, and shrubs.
Step 3. Keep cats and other predators away
Cats, snakes, raccoons, and mice are predators of chirping birds and their eggs. These animals prey on thousands of birds every year. Even if your yard looks attractive to birds, having cats around may be a problem. Keep your cat away from places to eat, drink, and nest birds if you are serious about inviting birds to come. Hole plugs, doors, and entryways for birds are some good choices for protecting birdhouses. Installing birdhouses high enough above the ground and predatory repellents are other protective measures you can try.
Tips
- Keep bird nests, feeding areas, and water sources clean.
- Don't be disappointed if the birds don't come right away to the place you prepared. Birds are often aware of changes in their environment, and need time to adjust to a new feeding or bathing area.
- If you don't have the motivation, time, or equipment needed to create a bird garden, you can work together to create a "community" bird garden. Donate funds and/or spend time helping nature conservation organizations, such as The Nature Conservancy, which buy land and save the area from urban development.
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Don't sweep up the fallen leaves.
Birds will look for insects hiding behind these leaves in the spring.
Warning
- Do not put antifreeze in bird drinking water during winter. Antifreeze liquid is highly toxic, and will kill any animal, animal or pet that drinks it, and can cause serious health problems in humans. You can purchase a special heater to dilute lake, fountain, or bird drinking water. Placing a tennis ball on the surface of the water can also make the ice sheet break and melt easily.
- Do not disturb bird nests or eggs if you find them.
- The nest boxes you provide should not be too close to each other. Birds can show dominating behavior in an area and nests that are too close can make birds fight over each other.
