It’s tough to make a living these days.
Birds spend most of their waking hours
looking for food to feed
themselves and their families.

We can help by making sure our gardens
have water and plants that
provide berries or seeds.

Places where wild animals can live disappear every day —both around the world and by our homes.

Birds, butterflies, animals and insects need places where plants grow. They need plants to make their homes and to provide food to feed their families. We are losing these creatures because there are fewer and fewer “green” places for them to live.

YOU CAN HELP!

Make your home bird friendly.

Creating a landscape desirable to birds is not difficult.

To start, keep in mind the necessities of life for a bird:

1. Plants

Birds need plants for food, nesting sites, and protection from predators. Plantings should be dense (they can be thorny) and allowed to grow in their natural form. Shaping and trimming shrubs discourages nesting birds, depletes extra leaves used for nest building, and removes flower and fruit food sources.

Plants should be located close enough to bird feeders (within 15 to 20 feet) to provide quick protection from predators, yet far enough away so they do not provide “ambush sites” for cats. Dead trees or snags provide much needed nesting and food storage sites for many endangered species of birds. They are in short supply. If there is a dead tree in your yard that is not a hazard or eyesore, why not grow a vine around it and leave it for the birds?

2. Water

People need water. So do birds. Drinking and bathing are essential to a bird’s health. Water may be the single most important factor in attracting birds to your garden.

There are many ways to provide water, from a very basic puddle of water on the ground to an elaborate sculptured birdbath or fountain. The birds don’t seem to care as long as it is wet. If you use a birdbath, put it on the ground, under a tree or on a pedestal within 15 or 20 feet of quick cover -- a wet bird cannot make as quick a getaway! Just think of how many times you’ve watched wild birds happily flapping about in a mud puddle and try to recreate that experience in your yard.

3. Food

Do your homework. Different birds look for food at different heights. And, just like people, different birds have different tastes. Sunflower seeds, peanuts and other seeds are always popular. Check out the library for particular favorites

4. An few more words about cats...

Cats may be a good friend to humans, but birds have a different story to tell!

Cats are the number one enemy of garden birds. Cats are dedended from a long line of very successful hunters and they are very good at stepping lightly, leaping and catching prey. If a bird is not paying close attention to what's around them....he's lunch!

But don't wowrry. There's no need to ditch the cat. Just put a bell around his/her neck so the birds have a signal when danger may be near.