Life is about enjoying those simple pleasures. And, at least for me, having birds nesting in my own backyard is one such pleasure.
You too can encourage nesting birds in your yard.
You don’t need miles and miles of land. Or a hefty figure in your bank account.
There are easy, cheap and effective ways to attract nesting birds to your yard.
From knowing what plants to use, to overcoming the urge to keep everything in the yard pristine, this article will explore 8 easy ways in which to encourage birds nesting in your own backyard.
1. Add bird-friendly plants and shrubs
Time to birdscape!
A twist on landscaping, birdscaping is a way of designing your yard to be a utopia for birdlife.
No matter the size of your yard – whether it’s perched on acres of sprawling woodland, or a mere window ledge – there are always ways to make the space bird friendly.
And that starts with the type of vegetation you use.
You want to use a variety of foliage that offers not only food, but ample shelter and materials to build nests with.
By increasing the type of vegetation you have, the higher the diversity of life you will attract into your yard.
Birds want to feel safe when nesting. A place where they are away from predators. Away from disturbance. And plants are a great way to offer privacy.
But knowing what plants to plant is the next challenge.
2. Nesting birds love native plants
This one might require some research, but it is well worth it.
If you’re not sure what plants are native to your area, a quick search online should do just the trick. Audubon’s native plant guide should be able to help you find the best plants for the birds in your area.
Knowing which shrubs to plant is important and there needs to be a balance of species that are used for nesting, foraging and nest construction.
If I lived in Colorado, for example, I’d introduce native shrubs which yield high quantities of berries – such as serviceberry. This small tree bears clusters of fragrant white flowers in April, which give rise to purple-black, berrylike fruits.
In drier regions of the State, native succulents such as Joshua trees, provide a great nesting substrate for a range of bird species, such as tanagers.
Unlike introduced plants, native plants have evolved alongside local birds, providing essential food and habitat that non-native plants often lack.
These plants offer birds food sources like nectar, buds, berries, and seeds, crucial for various bird species throughout the seasons. Native plants also attract a wealth of insect prey, such as caterpillars, that many bird species rely on to feed their chicks.
3. Bird baths are an easy way to encourage nesting birds
Bird baths can be as simple or as extravagant as you like.
Sure, you can go to somewhere like Home Depot and purchase an intricately designed bird bath that takes center stage in your yard.
For me, however, I find it more rewarding to build a bird bath yourself.
But don’t worry, you don’t need to be an expert stonemason to create a bird bath. They really can be so simple to make.
All you need is a shallow pan – something like an old cake tin or dustbin lid should do the trick – and some rocks.
Place the tray on levelled ground, preferably close to shrubs, and fill with no more than an inch-and-a-half of water. Add a few rocks and voilá, your very own bird bath.
The addition of rocks not only allows birds to perch, but also allows them to gauge how deep the water is.
Of course, a bird bath isn’t just a one-and-done kind of thing. You’ll need to clean it on a regular basis, especially in the summer months, to prevent nasty pathogens from spreading.
Whether you invest a lot of money into your bird bath, or go down the route of Do It Yourself, one thing is guaranteed: bird baths are vital for birds, especially those nesting.
Bird baths provide birds with a reliable source of water for drinking, bathing, and cooling off, which is crucial for their health and well-being. Bathing helps birds maintain their feathers – essential for flight, insulation, and courtship – by removing dust and parasites.
Bird baths can also attract a wider variety of birds to a garden than feeders alone, which may increase the likelihood of attracting species wanting to nest.
4. Discourage cats from being outside alone
Cats are one of the leading causes of bird declines globally.
One 2013 study suggests that free-ranging domestic cats kill between 1.3 – 4 billion birds annually.
If you, or your neighbors, have cats, that could be the reason why you’re not getting any nesting birds in your yard.
Not only do cats directly prey on birds, the mere presence of a cat can deter birds from nesting or cause them to abandon nests through increased stress.
Chicks, ground-nesting and ground-feeding birds are at higher risk of cat predation.
The best way to prevent cat-related mortalities for your backyard birds is to keep cats inside. Cats can live a happy and healthy life indoors when provided with the right environment and enrichment.
Some cats may initially find the transition difficult, especially those accustomed to outdoor living, but they can adapt.
In fact, it may even be beneficial for your cat to be inside, as they will be less exposed to dangers such as road traffic collisions, or larger predators such as cougars.
If you’re absolutely adamant that you want your cat roaming outside, consider attaching a bell to their collar. The noise made should act as a warning signal to any nearby birds, allowing them precious seconds to escape.
It sounds simple, but sometimes simplicity is the most effective.
However, there are more technical solutions.
Ultrasonic cat repellents are devices which will activate through motion detection. It works by projecting a very high-pitched frequency that cats dislike – often inaudible to the human ear.
Scent deterrents can also work well for cats. For a natural remedy, try using citronella or citrus fruit peel throughout your yard. You can also purchase repellent pellets, which can be scattered across yard borders – especially if you have shrubs where birds like to nest.
5. Avoid using pesticides or chemicals in your yard
Sometimes ‘pests’ in the yard can get a bit out of hand – especially if you’re prone to growing your own fruit and veg.
Naturally, many people are tempted to reach for the bug killer. But hold up! There’s a better, more nature-friendly way.
You see, pesticides don’t discriminate – they are just as likely to kill harmless wildlife as they are to kill your target species.
Blasting lots of insects with chemicals removes potential food for other wildlife, such as nesting birds.
Additionally, pesticides are harmful to nesting birds because they can contaminate their nests, food sources, and even the birds themselves, leading to reduced reproductive success, slower growth, and even death. These effects can weaken bird populations and threaten biodiversity.
So instead, encourage natural predators and beneficial insects in your yard. Ladybugs, for example, love eating aphids!
You can also try some home remedy methods. Try sprinkling leftover coffee grounds around the base of your plants to deter ants. Or use crushed egg shells to discourage slugs (they don’t like the sharpness of the shell)!
6. Add nest boxes to support nesting birds
Secondary cavity-nesting birds, such as bluebirds and chickadees, rely on pre-existing cavities within structures.
These cavities are often made by larger species, such as woodpeckers, whose hammer-like bill and sharp claws enable them to excavate a hole with ease.
However, in our ever-changing world, space in the natural environment is becoming scarcer, meaning competition becomes fiercer.
As humans encroach on wild spaces, we often destroy vital habitats where natural cavities can be found. In addition, introduced species, such as the European starling, are out-completing native birds due to their larger size and more aggressive nature.
Providing nest boxes is one of the easiest ways to help birds in your own backyard.
Nest box installation is all about location, location, location. It’s key that the nest sites are nearby to foraging locations, where nesting birds can find plenty of prey invertebrates, without leaving the nest for too long.
Different birds prefer different-sized nest boxes and entrance holes – so it may be worth adding a variety of different sized boxes around your backyard and see what you attract.
You want a nest box with a hole that is just about big enough for the bird to squeeze through. This prevents larger predators from entering, or freak weather events affecting nesting success.
On occasion, you may notice a colony of bees, wasps, or even earwigs move into the nest box. That’s okay! Afterall, many of these insects are useful food for birds.
At the very worst, it becomes a bug box – but hey, that’s still more biodiversity in your yard.
7. Keep untamed areas of your yard
A mown lawn is as bad as deforestation.
But because we’re not dealing with felled ancient trees, or large lovable mammals, the issue goes mostly ignored.
For birds, a mown lawn can be detrimental. It removes essential food sources, nesting sites, and shelter.
By removing weeds, insects, and native plants, a mown lawn can create a “food desert” for birds. Additionally, the lack of natural vegetation deprives birds of places to build nests and find refuge from predators and the elements.
But hey, I understand that you want to keep a tidy and presentable yard. And that’s okay.
If you have the space, try and leave areas of your yard for nature. Avoid mowing, suppress the urge to rake leaves or dig up weeds. Maybe even add a few logs. All these tips and tricks are great for birds wanting to nest.
Areas of uncut grass provide shelter and nesting sites for birds. Leaves offer an excellent material for nest construction. Weeds, such as chickweed and nettles, produce food in the form of seeds and insects. Log piles encourage insects, which in turn attracts birds.
Leaving areas of your yard wild can greatly benefit wildlife by providing habitats and resources.
8. Put out high-protein foods
A nesting bird is a happy bird.
And the best way to keep a bird happy is to ensure they have all their essential needs: food, water and shelter.
We’ve already discussed the importance of providing bird baths and nest boxes, but possibly the most obvious one is bird feeders.
Copulation, nest construction and egg development are some of the most energetically costly events in a bird’s life.
To encourage birds to nest in your yard, add a variety of bird feeders with high-protein foods, such as mealworms, peanuts, and suet.
If you want to increase bird diversity in your yard, try feeders that specialize on specific species. Hummingbird feeders, nyjer feeders or suet feeders, alongside the more traditional tube or platform feeders will attract a wide variety of life.
But just like bird baths, you must regularly clean feeders to prevent the spread of diseases.
Final Thoughts
Whether you choose just one of the above, all 8, or somewhere in the middle, you’re already on the right path to attracting nesting birds to your yard.
Each of these strategies can be tailored to you and your yard. Have an old cake tin? Make a DIY birdbath. Thinking of weeding the flower bed? Why not try leaving an area to do its thing.
What’s more, these are activities that can be done with children. Turn the TV off and spend the day in the yard. Open up conversations about the importance of wildlife. Afterall, children are our planet’s future.
