Simple Methods For Attracting More Songbirds To Your Yard & Garden

Backyard bird enthusiasts across the country spend untold time and effort attempting to attract more avian species to their outdoor areas. Indeed, there are a variety of reasons why it is beneficial to draw birds to your backyard. Some species of birds serve as little helpers in gardens, while others help reduce pesky insects and rodents. Having a backyard abuzz with birds also creates environmental educational opportunities for families with young children. 

Of course, among the primary reasons people attempt to attract birds to their yards is simply for the aesthetics of it. Birds add variety and color to any backyard, in addition to providing a nice diversion while looking out over your lawn. On top of that, many bird species provide soothing harmonies that add to the ambience of your outdoor living space. Singing species, such as cardinals, blue jays, orioles, and others help provide a connection between humans and the natural world with their vocalizations. For those who enjoy hearing birds as much as they like seeing them, there are some simple methods for attracting more songbirds to your yard and garden.

There are many ways to attract a wide variety of songbirds to your backyard. Essentially, it comes down to helping them meet their basic needs by providing them with food and water in a safe environment, along with some sort of shelter.

At the top of that triad of needs is food. Just as many people put out nectar-filled feeders to attract hummingbirds, the right type of food and feeder is needed to attract these birds. Songbirds prefer grains, seeds, fruits, and nuts. Products like the Pennington Pride Songbird Nut & Fruit Blend are ideal for attracting songbirds. This type of feed is perfect to place in DIY egg carton bird feeders. You can also make your own by transforming old soup cans into bird feeders. Of course, you can also always buy a commercially available model such as the Hanizi Hanging Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder to distribute your bird seed to songbirds. Additionally, you can plant berry bushes to attract cardinals and other species.

Adding a water feature will allow songbirds to stay hydrated and will also keep them cool in the warmer months. This can be done by adding a DIY garden pond or a traditional bird bath. Placing bird boxes and houses throughout your yard will also help attract songbirds by providing them safe shelter near their food and water source.