How to attract birds to your garden ...

Birds have three main requirements for survival in any habitat: water, shelter and food.

Water should be provided year-round for bathing and drinking.  Bird baths, ponds or water features can supply this, but they must be inaccessible to cats, or situate them in an open area where the birds can see if a predator is approaching.  Clean out bird baths regularly to provide fresh drinking and bathing water.

Dense shrubberies provide birds with shelter, protection from predators, and for nesting.  Dense and prickly foliaged shrubs, and trees with hollows (both dead and living trees), provide nesting sites for birds.  Many birds and other small mammals use hollows in dead trees for nesting and shelter.  Therefore, it is best to assess whether or not you need to remove dead trees, otherwise simply leave them where they are.

Food is best supplied by planting nectar an seed producing trees, shrubs and grasses, which provide seasonal sustenance to birds.  Try to provide different food sources, not just nectar, so that a range of bird species are attracted to your garden.  Some birds will feed high up in the trees, and some will feed on the ground.

 Bird feeders can be used to supplement other natural sources, however, remember that if you feed birds on a regular basis, they may become dependant on this food source.  When you go on holiday or move, this food source is removed and some birds may starve.  It is far better to provide an environment where birds can nest, breed and feed in your garden by providing the right environment and plants.

Plants that attract birds

The following is a selection of Australian native plants that may be used to attract birds to your garden and the reason why birds are attracted to them.

 

Trees

• Acacia spp - Food source and nesting site
• Banksia spp - Nectar and seed source, nesting site
• Eucalyptus spp - Food source and nesting site
• Hakea spp - Nectar and seed source
• Melaleuca spp - Food and nesting site
• Leptospermum spp - Food and nesting site

 

Shrubs

• Acacia spp - Food source and nesting site
• Alogyne spp - Nectar source
• Banksia spp - Nectar and seed source, nesting site
• Correa spp - Nectar source
• Calytrix spp - Nectar and shelter
• Epacris spp - Nectar and shelter
• Hakea spp - Nectar and seed source
• Melaleuca spp - Food and nesting site
• Leptospermum spp - Food and nesting site
• Prostanthera spp - Insect source
• Bursaria spp - Insect source and shelter
• Grevillea spp - Food source and shelter

 

Grasses

• Anigozanthos spp - Nectar source
• Themeda spp - Seed source
• Poa spp - Seed source

 

Climbers

• Kennedia spp - Nectar and insect source
• Hibbertia spp - Insect source

 

Groundcovers

• Banksia spp - Nectar and seed source, nesting site
• Kennedia spp - Nectar and insect source
• Grevillea spp - Food source and shelter

 

 

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