Backyard Bird Habitat: Help Birds Live Naturally
Monday, July 12th, 2010If you are a lover of birds, chances are that you would love to provide them with a healthy backyard bird habitat. Not only will the birds enjoy what you provide for them, but you will be able to enjoy listening to their singing and watching their intriguing activities. In actuality, it is not that difficult to create a good habitat for birds. After all, they essentially only need the things that we need: food, water and shelter. If you provide those three things in your backyard, then you will soon have a family of birds living with you that will certainly provide much pleasure and entertainment to your days.
When it comes to food, you should offer a variety. While most birds eat insects, they also enjoy feeding on nuts and seeds. And you do not need to buy these things for them. You can provide it for them in a natural way by planting trees and other plants that offer food that the birds can eat. Cranberry bushes, sunflowers, and oak trees are a few suggestions. You can also provide other foods in bird feeders to give more of a variety.
For water, a natural stream or creek would be ideal; however this is not always a possibility. To solve the water problem, you can provide bird baths, fountains or even a man-made pond. The water source should be in an open area so the birds can watch out for predators like the neighborhood cat.
If you have a lot of trees and shrubs then shelter for your birds is taken care of. However, if this is not available in your backyard, you can provide bird houses to help protect the birds from the elements and also to create a safe nesting area. Remember, different birds like different types of housing, so make sure you choose the bird houses appropriately and place them far enough away so you do not cause a territorial fight between nesting families.
When it comes to creating a backyard bird habitat natural is best. However, when natural resources are not available, alternatives are better than nothing at all.
Molly has been writing about birds for over 10 years. Please visit her latest website about backyard birds at Best Bird Feeders, with information about suet bird feeders, as well as many more interesting backyard bird discussions.
