Backyard Habitat for our Native Songbirds
WATER
Birds need water readily available to survive. Provide water year-round and please keep their water clean and ice free. Some species prefer a ground bath and some like pedestals or hanging water sources. Depending on the water source size, birds may use it to bathe or just drink.
FOOD
Offer food in feeders. Bird feeders are great sources of supplemental food during times of food scarcity, and also enhance bird viewing opportunities. To prevent the spread of disease, clean your feeders with a solution of 10% bleach & water and rinse well at least every 7 to 10 days. Clean and change the sugar solution in Hummingbird feeders every 3 days to prevent spoilage. If using multiple feeders spread them apart to avoid overcrowding and place them to avoid window strikes by the birds. Native plants can provide an excellent source of year-round food in the form of seeds, berries, and nectar. Try to recreate the plant ecosystem native to your area. Leave the fallen leaves to compost, which provides a food source of insects/grubs which many birds will eat.
SHELTER
Birds need shelter from bad weather & hiding places from predators.
Keep standing dead trees - (also known as ‘snags’) provide cavity-dwelling places for birds to raise young and a source of insects for food. Many birds will seek shelter from bad weather inside these snags. Inspect your snags regularly to make sure they do not present any safety hazards to birds or people. Evergreen trees and shrubs provide excellent cover through all seasons, and provide necessary cover from Raptor predators. Building a brush pile in a corner of your yard with larger logs topped with smaller branches. Some birds will hunt, roost or even nest in brush piles.
PLACES TO RAISE YOUNG
Nesting boxes need ventilation holes near the top (but not in the roof) and drainage holes in the floor. Avoid a perch, as House Sparrows will sit on the perch and peck at the birds inside. A box with the opening no larger than 1 1/8” will reduce invasive birds, such as European Starlings or House Sparrows.
ELIMINATE INSECTICIDES AND CHEMICALS IN YOUR YARD
Insects are the primary source of food for many bird species and are an important source of protein for growing juvenile birds. AVOID using snap or sticky glue traps, as birds can and do become caught in these traps.
REMOVE DOMESTIC PREDATORS
Please keep your cat indoors and your dog from straying. Domestic & feral cats pose a serious threat to wildlife, killing billions of birds in the U.S. every year. Indoor cats are safer and healthier than outdoor cats. Dogs can harm birds by disturbing, chasing, and even killing them. If you do have outdoor cats or feral cats roaming your property please do not attract birds with feeders/water/nest boxes as you are only setting up a “buffet” for the cats. Thank you!
Birds need water readily available to survive. Provide water year-round and please keep their water clean and ice free. Some species prefer a ground bath and some like pedestals or hanging water sources. Depending on the water source size, birds may use it to bathe or just drink.
FOOD
Offer food in feeders. Bird feeders are great sources of supplemental food during times of food scarcity, and also enhance bird viewing opportunities. To prevent the spread of disease, clean your feeders with a solution of 10% bleach & water and rinse well at least every 7 to 10 days. Clean and change the sugar solution in Hummingbird feeders every 3 days to prevent spoilage. If using multiple feeders spread them apart to avoid overcrowding and place them to avoid window strikes by the birds. Native plants can provide an excellent source of year-round food in the form of seeds, berries, and nectar. Try to recreate the plant ecosystem native to your area. Leave the fallen leaves to compost, which provides a food source of insects/grubs which many birds will eat.
SHELTER
Birds need shelter from bad weather & hiding places from predators.
Keep standing dead trees - (also known as ‘snags’) provide cavity-dwelling places for birds to raise young and a source of insects for food. Many birds will seek shelter from bad weather inside these snags. Inspect your snags regularly to make sure they do not present any safety hazards to birds or people. Evergreen trees and shrubs provide excellent cover through all seasons, and provide necessary cover from Raptor predators. Building a brush pile in a corner of your yard with larger logs topped with smaller branches. Some birds will hunt, roost or even nest in brush piles.
PLACES TO RAISE YOUNG
Nesting boxes need ventilation holes near the top (but not in the roof) and drainage holes in the floor. Avoid a perch, as House Sparrows will sit on the perch and peck at the birds inside. A box with the opening no larger than 1 1/8” will reduce invasive birds, such as European Starlings or House Sparrows.
ELIMINATE INSECTICIDES AND CHEMICALS IN YOUR YARD
Insects are the primary source of food for many bird species and are an important source of protein for growing juvenile birds. AVOID using snap or sticky glue traps, as birds can and do become caught in these traps.
REMOVE DOMESTIC PREDATORS
Please keep your cat indoors and your dog from straying. Domestic & feral cats pose a serious threat to wildlife, killing billions of birds in the U.S. every year. Indoor cats are safer and healthier than outdoor cats. Dogs can harm birds by disturbing, chasing, and even killing them. If you do have outdoor cats or feral cats roaming your property please do not attract birds with feeders/water/nest boxes as you are only setting up a “buffet” for the cats. Thank you!