Chirpy Ways to Attract Birds to Your Garden
If you provide food, shelter and nesting materials with a selection of special plants and native species, birds will flock to your garden
Susan Redman
30 October 2015
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff; writer, author, dreamer.
Waking to the song of a warbler or the call of a currawong is always delightful, but how can you attract these lovely little birds and their bigger, flashier mates, the king parrots and azure kingfishers, to your garden? If it’s Aussie natives you want, then you should only grow native plant species. But if you’re strategic in your plantings, you can probably get away with incorporating a minimum of natives into the mix of other plants that are also attractive to birds. Read on to find out how to make your garden a magpie’s go-to destination and a fairywren’s favourite haunt, as well as other tips that will have local birdlife dining in and even staying over.
1. Create the right environment
According to Ian Barker, principal of Ian Barker Gardens, the best way to attract birds to your garden is to create a beneficial environment. “A garden that provides birds with food, safety and materials for nesting is likely to be the most inviting,” he says.
According to Ian Barker, principal of Ian Barker Gardens, the best way to attract birds to your garden is to create a beneficial environment. “A garden that provides birds with food, safety and materials for nesting is likely to be the most inviting,” he says.
2. Plant a diverse range of shrubs
When considering what to plant to attract birds, Daniel Tyrrell of Daniel Tyrrell Landscapes says the more diverse the better. “Birds, like people, eat different things, so what may be good for the goose may not be good for the gander.”
However, Barker says you should also aim to choose plants that are suitable for your garden. “Selecting plants that occur naturally in your local area is ideal, as they will be more likely to grow well,” he says.
When considering what to plant to attract birds, Daniel Tyrrell of Daniel Tyrrell Landscapes says the more diverse the better. “Birds, like people, eat different things, so what may be good for the goose may not be good for the gander.”
However, Barker says you should also aim to choose plants that are suitable for your garden. “Selecting plants that occur naturally in your local area is ideal, as they will be more likely to grow well,” he says.
3. Take advantage of a natural setting
If you live within three kilometres of bushland your chances of attracting native birds is increased, purely because of your proximity to their natural habitat. Simply landscape your garden to match the bush setting, and plant local species to see flocks of birds make your place a regular stopover.
If you live within three kilometres of bushland your chances of attracting native birds is increased, purely because of your proximity to their natural habitat. Simply landscape your garden to match the bush setting, and plant local species to see flocks of birds make your place a regular stopover.
4. Include natives
If you are trying to attract birds from further afield, planting species such as the native grasses, banksia and kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos) in this garden will help.
“Native plants mixed in your garden will help to attract native glamour birds,” says Tyrrell. He also advises that “a range of heights and varieties of local species, from grasses and low shrubs through to large trees, will provide nectar, insects and shelter for most of your local birdlife.”
If you are trying to attract birds from further afield, planting species such as the native grasses, banksia and kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos) in this garden will help.
“Native plants mixed in your garden will help to attract native glamour birds,” says Tyrrell. He also advises that “a range of heights and varieties of local species, from grasses and low shrubs through to large trees, will provide nectar, insects and shelter for most of your local birdlife.”
5. Find firm favourites
According to avid gardener Mei Kuen Chan of Gardens in Abundance, some examples of native plants that attract birds are hakea (seen here), grevillea, banksia and acacia. “Also consider native plants with dense, prickly foliage for smaller birds,” she says.
According to avid gardener Mei Kuen Chan of Gardens in Abundance, some examples of native plants that attract birds are hakea (seen here), grevillea, banksia and acacia. “Also consider native plants with dense, prickly foliage for smaller birds,” she says.
6. Try other plants with pulling power
Our experts all agree that in the urban garden, native plants provide a natural diet for birds. “However, it is not always possible to plant only native plants,” says Chan. “When choosing a plant, think about the season that it will flower and fruit to provide all year round shelter, food and materials for nesting.”
Our experts all agree that in the urban garden, native plants provide a natural diet for birds. “However, it is not always possible to plant only native plants,” says Chan. “When choosing a plant, think about the season that it will flower and fruit to provide all year round shelter, food and materials for nesting.”
7. Bring on the bugs
According to many bird enthusiasts, the worst thing you can do is to supply ‘artificial’ food, as it can attract one species at the expense of others. “Supplying food to birds does more harm than good and makes them dependent on regular feeding by you,” says Tyrrell. Instead, grow your own bird food, says Barker. “Grevillea (seen here) and banksia are good for nectar and also provide shelter. These plants also attract insects, a great source of food for birds,” he adds.
According to many bird enthusiasts, the worst thing you can do is to supply ‘artificial’ food, as it can attract one species at the expense of others. “Supplying food to birds does more harm than good and makes them dependent on regular feeding by you,” says Tyrrell. Instead, grow your own bird food, says Barker. “Grevillea (seen here) and banksia are good for nectar and also provide shelter. These plants also attract insects, a great source of food for birds,” he adds.
8. Hang food high
If you still want to provide food to attract birds, try collecting native seeds to encourage them to come into your garden. However, here’s a great tip from Houzz gardening expert Carol Bucknell about where to place your offerings: “If you are hanging food in trees for the birds, make sure it’s high enough to be out of the reach of cats, and cautious birds will feel safe eating from it.”
If you still want to provide food to attract birds, try collecting native seeds to encourage them to come into your garden. However, here’s a great tip from Houzz gardening expert Carol Bucknell about where to place your offerings: “If you are hanging food in trees for the birds, make sure it’s high enough to be out of the reach of cats, and cautious birds will feel safe eating from it.”
9. Grow tall trees
Bucknell also stresses the importance of growing a ‘getaway plan’ for birds, especially when there may be neighbourhood cats about. “(Having) tallish trees in the garden is important to attract birds, as it provides a safe place to perch and survey food sources below,” she says. This Sydney home features several ideal towering eucalypts, specifically Sydney red gum trees (Angophora costata).
Bucknell also stresses the importance of growing a ‘getaway plan’ for birds, especially when there may be neighbourhood cats about. “(Having) tallish trees in the garden is important to attract birds, as it provides a safe place to perch and survey food sources below,” she says. This Sydney home features several ideal towering eucalypts, specifically Sydney red gum trees (Angophora costata).
10. Provide safety
“Prickly plants such as hakeas and banksia are great for providing a safe environment for birds and will help shelter them from predators,” says Barker.
“Prickly plants such as hakeas and banksia are great for providing a safe environment for birds and will help shelter them from predators,” says Barker.
11. Ensure there is plenty to feather a nest with
If you have established a garden that has plenty of native and non-native plant, shrub and tree options for feeding and shelter, some birds may decide to take up permanent residence in your garden by way of building a home of their own. “Grasses and reeds are great for providing nesting material, while the hardy bottlebrush (Callistemon) has plenty of good nesting material as well as generally providing shelter,” says Barker.
If you have established a garden that has plenty of native and non-native plant, shrub and tree options for feeding and shelter, some birds may decide to take up permanent residence in your garden by way of building a home of their own. “Grasses and reeds are great for providing nesting material, while the hardy bottlebrush (Callistemon) has plenty of good nesting material as well as generally providing shelter,” says Barker.
12. Offer a place to stay
Most native birds prefer to build their own nests, so if you install a conventional bird box, be aware that you may only encourage introduced species, such as the common myna and starling to your garden. However, there are some Australian birds that do like to nest in hollows, and if offered the right digs they may be attracted to the idea.
These include Australia’s parrots (the cockatoos, lorikeets, rosellas and budgerigars), pardalotes, kookaburras and boobook owls. To deter pests and encourage native birds to nest safely in your backyard, these specially-designed nesting boxes are available through companies such as Nest Boxes Australia, Wildlife Nestboxes and Environest.
Traditional bird houses
Most native birds prefer to build their own nests, so if you install a conventional bird box, be aware that you may only encourage introduced species, such as the common myna and starling to your garden. However, there are some Australian birds that do like to nest in hollows, and if offered the right digs they may be attracted to the idea.
These include Australia’s parrots (the cockatoos, lorikeets, rosellas and budgerigars), pardalotes, kookaburras and boobook owls. To deter pests and encourage native birds to nest safely in your backyard, these specially-designed nesting boxes are available through companies such as Nest Boxes Australia, Wildlife Nestboxes and Environest.
Traditional bird houses
13. Locate larger birdbaths near trees
If you want birds in your garden, you’ve got to make it a safe place for them to be. For example, Bucknell advises placing a bird bath near trees to allow for a quick escape route. “Bird baths need to be sited near trees so the birds can check if the coast is clear before splashing about,” she says. Chan agrees: “Place the bath away from shrubbery but near trees. When a bird is wet it is vulnerable as it cannot fly as fast.”
Ways to use water in the garden
If you want birds in your garden, you’ve got to make it a safe place for them to be. For example, Bucknell advises placing a bird bath near trees to allow for a quick escape route. “Bird baths need to be sited near trees so the birds can check if the coast is clear before splashing about,” she says. Chan agrees: “Place the bath away from shrubbery but near trees. When a bird is wet it is vulnerable as it cannot fly as fast.”
Ways to use water in the garden
14. Provide a permanent water supply
Choosing a good spot for a water bath helps to attract birds, says Chan. “To keep predators away, plant a spiky under-storey of plants around the water bath, to prevent predators from hiding (around) them,” she advises. “And use shallow water bowls in close proximity to small shrubs that birds can retreat to if there are predators about,” suggests Tyrrell.
Choosing a good spot for a water bath helps to attract birds, says Chan. “To keep predators away, plant a spiky under-storey of plants around the water bath, to prevent predators from hiding (around) them,” she advises. “And use shallow water bowls in close proximity to small shrubs that birds can retreat to if there are predators about,” suggests Tyrrell.
15. Bell your cat
Groups of birds feeding or bathing in your garden can become easy targets for larger animals that prey on them. If you have a cat, birds may be less inclined to visit. But in case they do, give them good warning that your cat’s is about by fixing a bell to its collar.
Groups of birds feeding or bathing in your garden can become easy targets for larger animals that prey on them. If you have a cat, birds may be less inclined to visit. But in case they do, give them good warning that your cat’s is about by fixing a bell to its collar.
Once you have incorporated as many of these suggestions as you want into your garden, all you need do is sit back and wait for the warbles and birdsong to start. You could even be amused by the laugh of a visiting kookaburra sitting in the old gumtree or, as they sometimes prefer, on your clothesline. Either way, both you and the birds will be merry!
TELL US
Do birds visit your garden regularly? Do you have any tricks or tips to attract them? Take a photo of your feathered friends and share it with us in the Comments section.
MORE
True-Blue Native Plants That Do Us Proud
Bountiful Gardens: The 6 Zones of Permaculture
9 Ways to Create a More Sustainable Garden
TELL US
Do birds visit your garden regularly? Do you have any tricks or tips to attract them? Take a photo of your feathered friends and share it with us in the Comments section.
MORE
True-Blue Native Plants That Do Us Proud
Bountiful Gardens: The 6 Zones of Permaculture
9 Ways to Create a More Sustainable Garden
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Any ideas how to keep the noisy miners from taking over? We used to have a lot of rosellas and rainbow lorikeets but these others have chased them all away.
Great article - and reminder about being wary of introducing invasive species to the bush unwittingly. A swamphen started bringing her babies into our orchard last year and they were so cute we let them stay - but now that they are grown, still visiting and crushing the new growth with their huge so we wished we had thought ahead a little! Alternately we used to chase away the blackbird who scraped up all our newly laid mulch - until he came to sing in our old mulberry tree and it was so enchanting that we now let him scratch around to his hearts content and get a daily concert. We have several bird baths, buy plants that will attract insects as well as birds and make sure we have a bush corridor for the little ones to travel safely from front to back. Birds bring so much interest and delight to our garden.
Plant more spikey plants and shrubs to help other birds escape aggressive honeyeaters like noisy miners.