Remember when our backyards were more than just manicured lawns? Back in the day, we knew how to create spaces that brought all sorts of beautiful birds right to our window views.

As someone who’s spent over six decades watching these feathered friends, I’ve learned exactly what makes them choose one yard over another.

1. Moving Water Draws Birds In

Of course, birds need water to drink, and for bathing. But many birds are also attracted to water due to the insect life it attracts.

And many species will also be drawn to a space by the sounds of running or moving water. You can further enhance your garden’s appeal to many species by adding a water feature of some kind.

This might be a fountain feature or a waterfall feature trickling into a pond. This may also be a bird bath or other water feature somewhere else in your garden.

2. Native Berry Shrubs Feed and Shelter Birds

If you cannot easily grow cranberries or other related berry-producing shrubs like blueberries or huckleberries where you live, then you may wish to consider planting other native plants which provide fresh fruit or berries for birds in your garden. Shrubs (fruit and berry bushes, evergreens, and deciduous species…).

Shrubs native to your area can also be very important in a wildlife-friendly garden. Many bird species will be attracted to stand-alone shrubs and especially hedgerows, which are wonderful avian habitats for a range of species.

These too can provide perches, shelter, nesting and brooding sites, and a wealth of food – both plant foods and insects that can also be attracted to shrubs – especially flowering ones.

3. Layers of Plants Suit Birds at Every Height

Lots of layers of different kinds of plants, shrubs, and trees is ideal. You need plants at every level to suit the needs of many birds.

Some are ground dwellers, some like shrubs, and some prefer treetops. This is for their daily living as well as nest building.

And guess what, it doesn’t need to be orderly and tidy. Let it be chaotic and busy!

Just take up as much space as possible and let it be a little bird paradise.

4. Evergreen Cover Gives Birds a Safe Place to Hide

Including evergreen trees, shrubs, and ground cover is a great thing to consider. Evergreen plants keep their leaves or needles year-round, so they naturally provide shelter for winter birds through the coldest season.

Also, yards that don’t offer enough of the other things hummingbirds need, like the safe cover, perches, good visibility of predators and rivals, and water sources, might be unappealing even if you put out a nice feeder.

5. Bare Twigs and Fence Posts Give Birds a Lookout

Adding natural perches like bare twigs may work just as well or better to provide perching spots. Ultimately, conveniently located food and water, not special swings, will be the main draw for hummingbirds.

But for birders who enjoy observing perched hummingbirds up close, trying a swing in your habitat may be worth a shot. You’re just as likely to see an American Kestrel in meadows and grasslands as you are to see them in parks.

They also have a habit of sitting on tall perches such as fence posts or power lines.

6. Native Grasses Supply Natural Seed

You can attract Eastern meadowlarks to your yard by planting native plants such as sunflowers, clover, and grasses. You can also put out a bird feeder filled with seeds.

Caring for the Eastern meadowlarks in your yard may help the species as a whole, as their population in Georgia has been steadily declining. Weeds, grasses, alder seeds, and birch seeds are main food sources for some finches, though they do eat the occasional insect.

Since these birds usually live in very inhospitable conditions, they can’t always afford to be picky.

7. Clean Feeders Stop Disease at the Station

Cleaning the bird feeder is vital to prevent the spread of disease. However, some feeders are more difficult to clean than others.

If you don’t want to spend hours cleaning your dirty bird feeder, you’ll want to choose one that’s easy to clean. Finches can easily spread diseases amongst one another at feeding stations.

8. Soft Plant Down and Spider Webs Build Nests

Hummingbirds like to use soft materials to build their nests. This includes plant materials, like moss, lichens, and soft seeds like milkweeds and dandelions.

Another critical element is spider webs, which help their nests stick together and hold their shape. When a female hummer begins to build her nest, she will gather nesting materials like grasses, small twigs, and other plant materials she can find within the landscape.

She builds a nest layer by layer, using spider webs to bind all the materials together.

9. A Raked Patch Invites Dust Bathing

Providing a little help with raking and cover may encourage “dusters” (the term used for birds that engage in a dust bath) to partake in this entertaining activity.

10. Protected Roosting Boxes Keep Birds Safe

Where do you put roosting boxes? You can install your boxes as high as possible, making sure they are away from any overhead wires, buildings, or trees.

Roosting boxes should be placed in an area protected from extreme weather, at a height birds can easily reach, and in a place where predators are unlikely to be able to reach them. You could put up roosting boxes for attracting backyard birds that are not cavity users, but would use a roosting box or birdhouse for shelter during cold weather.

What happy birds look for

Spec	What our writers say
Water	Fountain, waterfall, or bird bath; many species come for the sound of moving water
Berry shrubs	Native fruit and berry bushes, plus hedgerows for food, perches, and nest sites
Plant layers	Plants at every level: ground, shrubs, and treetops
Cover	Evergreen trees, shrubs, and ground cover that keep leaves year-round
Perches	Bare twigs; kestrels also use fence posts and power lines
Native grasses	Plant sunflowers, clover, and grasses; some finches eat grass, weed, alder, and birch seed
Feeders	Choose a feeder that is easy to clean; finches spread disease at dirty stations
Nest materials	Moss, lichens, soft milkweed and dandelion seed, spider webs
Dust bath	Rake a patch and leave some cover so dusters will use it
Roost boxes	High, out of extreme weather, and where predators cannot reach

Keep reading

• 14 Ways to Make Birds Choose Your Yard This Spring
• 12 Native Berry Powerhouses That Feed Birds All Winter (While Making Your Yard the Neighborhood Envy)
• Why Some Backyards Get All the Good Birds (These 9 Secrets Are the Key)