How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard

1. Food: feeders and native plants

Feeders bring birds close, but native plants feed far more species year-round with seeds, berries and the insects that baby birds depend on. Leave some seed heads standing in fall, and choose native shrubs that fruit at different times of year. Your local native plant society or extension office can suggest species for your region.

For feeders, start with black-oil sunflower seed in a tube or hopper feeder, and add suet in cold weather. See what to feed which birds.

2. Water: often the missing piece

• Use a shallow bath — 1 to 2 inches deep with a gently sloping edge, or add flat stones.
• Moving water (a dripper or small bubbler) attracts attention from a distance.
• Refresh water every day or two and scrub the bath weekly to prevent algae and disease.
• In freezing weather, a thermostatically controlled heated bath keeps water open. See our heated bird bath guide

3. Shelter: layers and cover

Birds feel safest when they can dash into cover. Aim for layers: tall trees, mid-height shrubs, and ground cover or a brush pile. Evergreens provide winter protection from wind and predators. Keep feeders roughly 10 feet from dense cover — close enough for escape, far enough that cats can’t ambush.

4. Nesting: boxes and safe spaces

• Put up nest boxes before breeding season begins, sized for the species you want (hole size matters).
• Add predator guards and avoid perches on the front of boxes.
• Mount boxes away from busy feeders.
• Clean out old nests after the season, following local guidance.
• Avoid pruning shrubs and hedges while birds are nesting. Most native birds, nests and eggs are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the US.

Keep birds safe

• Windows: add exterior markings to large windows and place feeders within 3 ft or beyond 30 ft.
• Cats: keep them indoors; outdoor cats kill huge numbers of birds each year.
• Pesticides: avoid them where possible — they reduce the insects birds need.
• Hygiene: clean feeders and baths regularly.