Hey Ramblers, it’s wonderful to have you back for a visit! When we moved our base of operations to Hoover Alabama, one of the very first things we discovered was a dearth of wild birds. As it turns out, they were in the area, just in other parts of the neighborhood. Hint– we like them outside our kitchen window. We knew there was a huge variety of birds in the state, more than just the typical backyard birds commonly observed, and knew we wanted to try to create a haven for as many types, sizes, ages, and colors as possible. So the question was, how can we make our backyard attractive to songbirds?
We saw this move as an opportunity to make our yard a bird haven. Both of us like to watch and hear songbirds from inside the house on cold winter days. In fair weather, we observe from the outside porches while we savor morning coffee or evening teas. In no time, our singing, chirping, and warbling friends had discovered a bird-friendly environment.
If you too enjoy the cheerful chirping of songbirds and want to see more of them in your yard, you can attract them. They will discover you- and usually quickly. We want to share with you some of the things we did to create a welcoming environment for these feathered friends!
Here are some tips for creating a backyard that is more attractive for songbirds. So grab a pair of binoculars and get ready to enjoy the sights and sounds of songbirds in your backyard!
Strategies to Attract Songbirds to Your Backyard
Provide Food
One of the easiest ways to attract songbirds to your home is to provide food. Set up a bird feeder and fill it with the types of foods they prefer. Make sure to keep the feeder clean and refill it regularly. Offer a variety of foods because some species eat insect pests, others seem to only like black oil sunflower seeds, and hummingbirds feed from specialized liquid dispensers. Providing different kinds of foods gives you a better chance of attracting a larger variety in your own backyards.
We didn’t know which species inhabited our new part of the United States, so we tried everything. We set out a hummingbird feeder and we got a couple of grain feeders. The first few days, nothing happened. We saw them around from time to time, but there wasn’t an increase in activity. And sadly, at first, they didn’t visit our feeders. This is when we took handfuls of a variety of bird seeds and spread them around. We both took copious amounts and put feed anywhere they might see it. The driveway, our picnic table, the porches, and even the barbecue grill all had at least a few grains.
Now, the first thing I noticed was an increase in small mammals such as squirrels. Then chipmunks came. Finally, a pair of cardinals noticed our offerings. Then they must have told their friends! Presently, we only offer feed-in feeders because once they found them we didn’t have trouble attracting other varieties.
You want to use a variety of styles of feeders. The birds become a bit territorial and seem to protect ‘their’ feeding stations. Because of that, we have a hanging gravity-fed feeder, a clear plexiglass feeder that affixes directly to one of our favorite windows, and a free-standing feeder in another area of the yard. Of course, we still have hummingbird feeders. We currently do not have any tray feeders but we will probably get some after a bit.
Offer Water
Songbirds also need a water source for drinking and bathing. Provide a bird bath or other shallow container of water, and make sure to change it frequently to keep it fresh and clean. we don’t have one yet. Until we get one, we improvise with a shallow, clear tote holding only about an inch of water in the shade on our picnic table. Deeper than an inch, and they can’t stand up and drink or bathe. The clear tote allows them to stay on the lookout for predators. Keep your water station far enough from shrubs or other places cats or other predators might stage an ambush, and keep it in the shade.
Create a Habitat
I am handy with tools, so I looked up dimensions, made a trip to Home Depot, and built two birdhouses. These nest boxes have to be species-specific. I have seen bluebirds around, so the ones I made were to their preference. Birdhouses and birdhouse kits can be easily purchased in brick-and-mortar or online. Heck, if you want, I will build one for you!
Do a little research to learn which of your area’s birds will nest in a man-made habitat. Once you know which birds to attract, choose the nest sites your local birds will use. Cater to your favorite birds’ needs and give them some rent-free accommodation. If you have a little land, habitats such as brush piles, a variety of plants, some native grasses, and other trees and edge habitats, can provide nice breeding grounds for many of the common birds in the area.
Songbirds prefer to feed and nest in areas with natural vegetation. Plant trees, shrubs, and flowers that provide cover and shelter, as well as nesting materials such as twigs and grasses. Remember, non-native plants aren’t forbidden in your home’s landscape (unless they’re invasive). Nevertheless, the native fauna and native flora provide food and shelter for songbirds. They also help support local ecosystems. Further, birds feel safe when they have a clear view. It’s also easier to observe them when they are in a perch open area. You may choose to position a couple of small dead trees- suitable for inspecting the surroundings, in open areas within view of your nest boxes, feeders, and water stations..
Foster a safe environment
Songbirds are vulnerable to predators like cats and hawks, so it’s important to create safe wildlife habitats. You can do this by keeping your yard free of clutter and providing places of escape- such as rock piles, tall grass, shrubs, and trees. Also, as mentioned, give them places to perch and scout the area, both in the open and in cover.
Avoid the use of pesticides
Pesticides eliminate insects, and birds are insect eaters. This is why even controlled, residential, toxins can be harmful to insect-eating birds and other wildlife. Try to avoid using them in your yard. Instead, consider using natural pest control methods, such as companion planting or introducing beneficial insects.
Be Patient
Attracting songbirds to your home may take some time and patience. Keep in mind the migratory nature of some species. It may take a long time between sightings of some of your favorite birds because they are just winter visitors. Once they discover your hospitality, they will be back on the return trip, And they will bring their friends! It’s important to create a welcoming environment and wait for the birds to discover your oasis on their own. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak migration often takes them through our area and we were thrilled to have several come stay with us for a bit as they traveled through.
By following these simple tips, you can create a bird-friendly environment in your backyard and make it attractive to a variety of songbirds. Not only will you enjoy the beauty of these feathered friends, but you’ll also be helping the ecology.
Common songbirds in Central Alabama
We see these types of birds every day! Central Alabama is the year-round home to a wide variety of songbirds. Each species has its own unique characteristics and melodies. If you are interested in making your backyard more attractive to songbirds, it helps if you know what birds you would like to attract.
The following list of birds has some of the most common bird species you might spot in Central Alabama: It is definitely not an exhaustive list- but hopefully, we can add to it as we have more bird visitors to our new home in Alabama.
- Northern Cardinals: The Northern Cardinal is a bright red bird with a distinctive crest on its head. It is known for its beautiful, clear whistle and can often be heard singing from treetops.
- Carolina Wren: The Carolina Wren is a small, brown bird with a loud, musical song. It is known for its distinctive teakettle-teakettle-teakettle call and can often be found foraging for insects in shrubs and bushes.
- Carolina Chickadee. Carolina Chickadees are small, but plump birds that are mostly gray with white cheeks, a black throat, and a black cap. They are frequent visitors to feeders and range all over the southeastern portion of North America.
- Eastern Bluebird: The Eastern Bluebird is a small, blue bird with a rust-colored breast. It is known for its sweet, warbling song and can often be found perched on fence posts or flying low over fields and meadows.
- American Goldfinch: The American Goldfinch is a small, bright yellow bird with black wings and a black cap. It is known for its cheerful, bouncing flight and can often be found feeding on thistle or sunflower seeds.
- Eastern Towhee: Eastern Towhees are a new world sparrow, with bold black and warm reddish-brown feathering. they eat many varieties of insects and commonly eat seeds such as acorns.
- White-breasted Nuthatch: A common feeder bird with clean black, gray, and white markings, White-breasted Nuthatches are active, agile little birds with an appetite for insects and large, meaty seeds.
- Blue Jay: Blue Jays are perky crested; blue, white, and black plumage an almost white belly, and noisy calls. Blue Jays are known for their intelligence and complex social systems with tight family bonds. While they have a reputation for sometimes bullying smaller birds, they are a striking, frequent visitor for backyards along with urban areas.
- American Robin: The American Robin is a medium-sized bird with a rust-colored breast and a gray back. It is known for its clear, flute-like song and can often be found foraging for earthworms on lawns and fields.
Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or just enjoy listening to the sweet melodies of songbirds, Central Alabama is a great place to observe these beautiful creatures. And it doesn’t take much to make your backyard an attractive environment for songbirds. Keep your eyes and ears open, and you’re sure to spot some of these common songbirds in your backyard! (If you are struggling to decide which bird you are seeing or hearing- try using the Merlin app- HERE. We LOVE it!)
THANKS FOR READING ABOUT HOW TO MAKE YOUR BACKYARD MORE ATTRACTIVE TO SONGBIRDS!
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