How to Make Your Backyard a Bird Haven

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Quit hogging your own backyard. Make it a haven for your fine feathered friends.

To complete this How-To you will need:

Undisturbed trees or shrubs large enough to provide bird shelter
Native plants that provide seeds, berries, and nectar
A water source such as a stream, pond, or birdbath
Wildflowers
One or more bird feeders
Birdhouses matched to your local species
Logs

Step 1: Identify plants & trees

Identify which plants and trees in your yard already attract local birdlife.

Step 2: Add native trees, bushes, & flowers

Add native trees, bushes, and flowers that provide seeds, berries, or nectar for wild birds. Consult your state's horticultural or Audubon society for suggestions, or ask a local nursery.

Tip: Think twice before getting rid of dead or dying branches and stumps, which provide shelter to many birds. Consider adding logs to your landscaping.

Step 3: Include water in your yard

Include water in your yard—a birdbath, fountain, stream, or pond will do the trick.

Step 4: Replace lawn w/ wildflower meadow

Consider replacing some of your lawn with a wildflower meadow. Even a small patch of wildflowers and tall grass will attract wild birds.

Step 5: Hang bird feeders

Hang bird feeders close to trees so birds can be sheltered—and ideally in sight of a window, so you can enjoy watching them.

Step 6: Build or buy a birdhouse

Build or buy a birdhouse and then put it up. Check with your local library, fish and wildlife department, or Audubon group to see what birdhouses suit your local species.

Tip: Keep your cats inside. It is estimated that house cats cause up to 100 million bird deaths each year in the U.S.

Step 7: Leave nests in place

If a bird builds a nest in your yard, leave it in place even after the babies have flown. The birds might return next year.

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Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• homefamily
• diy
• instructional
• tutorial
• do
• it
• yourself
• tips
• essential
• skills
• learn
• to
• environment
• ecology

[saa7raa]

i like hearing birdies outside my window when im doing work

[tpclhk]

me too!

[seanjwang]

dont do this ur neighbors will hate you for all the bird shit everywhere

[BigTimeFrendz27]

no its not easy u got to care fo birds!

[kawaiipony101]

I have a pool in my backyard and birds comes all the time

[Mrhamburgerable]

say hello to bird shit all over my backyard.

[rico630]

i told my mom 2 do that and guess what it fukin attracted....pigeons and crows...thats the bad part...then i got 2 get my pellet gun and shoot them...YAY!!!

[Ozzy0sbourne]

shit, he's slower than ozzy.

[RevolvrGCF]

Rofl I think that kid might have been a little slow.

[xatyt]

1:20

Step 6: Stare at your neighbors with binoculars, while trying to make it look like your watching birds.

[Ozzy0sbourne]

obviously.

[drummerboy847]

Ur not actually Ozzy right??