How to Landscape to Attract Birds

One of the most pleasing activities to enjoy outdoors at home is listening to the sound of songbirds in the trees. If you're someone who enjoys the presence of birds around the home, you can improve your land and foliage as a backyard habitat. Here's how you can landscape to attract birds to your home.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Provide food. Each species of bird has a different food requirement; these can change throughout the year and as the bird matures. Find out the favorite foods of the birds you want to attract, and provide those foods. Plant trees, shrubs and flowers that produce berries, fruits, nectar, nuts and seeds.

2. Offer an adequate water supply. This step alone can sometimes double the number of birds that visit your yard. Proper water sources can include a pond, water garden or bird bath. Birds are drawn to these spots, especially to splashing water.

3. Shelter the wildlife. Birds need places to nest and to hide from predators and the weather. If you don't have trees, birds can still find shelter in shrubs and tall grass; or consider installing a bird house or two. Strategically place bird houses, feeders and bird baths in places where birds will feel safe.

4. Check the soil. You can ask someone at a local nursery, university or county office to do a soil test on your yard. Once you find out what type of soil you have and what type of plants would grow best in it, you can better decide what to plant in your yard.

5. Lay out the area based on what is attractive to and safe for birds. Spacing plants appropriately and offering spots with both open air and thick cover are important.