| Louisville Audubon Society 3745 Illinois Avenue Louisville, KY 40213 |
Backyard Habitat
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
This page
last updated
on 9 Feb 08.
last updated
on 9 Feb 08.
| Beyond the Bird Feeder: Building a haven for wild birds on properties large and small |
Many species of birds are becoming extinct -- usually due to
habitat loss. The good news? Humans can restore natural
habitats for wild birds—one piece of property at a time—including
food and water, places to hide from predators, perches for singing
and sites for nest building.
habitat loss. The good news? Humans can restore natural
habitats for wild birds—one piece of property at a time—including
food and water, places to hide from predators, perches for singing
and sites for nest building.
| 10 Projects for Attracting More Songbirds to Properties Large and Small Compiled from The Audubon Society Guide to Attracting Birds Published by Cornell University Press in association with the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology |
Create A Songbird Border along the edge of your property by planting trees
and shrubs that meet the needs of birds throughout the year. Select a mix
of native plants—they’re adapted to our local climate. The border can take
the form of a hedge or windbreak. Plant several of each species in groups.
Include at least one thorny species for nesting, and evergreens for cover.
Plant berry-producing shrubs--such as Dogwood, Serviceberry and
Viburnum--to provide fruit year-round.
and shrubs that meet the needs of birds throughout the year. Select a mix
of native plants—they’re adapted to our local climate. The border can take
the form of a hedge or windbreak. Plant several of each species in groups.
Include at least one thorny species for nesting, and evergreens for cover.
Plant berry-producing shrubs--such as Dogwood, Serviceberry and
Viburnum--to provide fruit year-round.
Create a Bathing And Drinking Pool For Birds by setting out a shallow
bird bath or upside-down garbage-can lid. If cats visit your yard, be sure to
place the pool on a pedestal. Clean it frequently with a stiff brush to
prevent algae. Replace the water every few days to prevent mosquitoes.
bird bath or upside-down garbage-can lid. If cats visit your yard, be sure to
place the pool on a pedestal. Clean it frequently with a stiff brush to
prevent algae. Replace the water every few days to prevent mosquitoes.
Plant Long-Lived Native Trees like oaks and maples, where space permits.
They can provide food, shelter and singing perches for birds--and shade
and enjoyment for people--for centuries to come.
They can provide food, shelter and singing perches for birds--and shade
and enjoyment for people--for centuries to come.
Clean Tube Feeders with a bottle brush and a 10% solution of
non-chlorine bleach. Rinse thoroughly and dry in the sun before refilling.
Rake up soggy seed from under feeders that could grow molds deadly to
birds. Move feeders to at least 3 feet from the house to avoid window
strikes by birds scattering from a predator.
non-chlorine bleach. Rinse thoroughly and dry in the sun before refilling.
Rake up soggy seed from under feeders that could grow molds deadly to
birds. Move feeders to at least 3 feet from the house to avoid window
strikes by birds scattering from a predator.
Keep Your Cat Indoors for the safety of both the birds and your cat. About
100 million pet and stray cats live in the US. They kill hundreds of
millions of birds each year, especially in the spring when young songbirds
are fledging, often on or near the ground. Indoor cats are safer from autos,
predators, diseases and parasites.
100 million pet and stray cats live in the US. They kill hundreds of
millions of birds each year, especially in the spring when young songbirds
are fledging, often on or near the ground. Indoor cats are safer from autos,
predators, diseases and parasites.
Clean Out Old Bird And Mouse Nests from bird nest boxes in early spring.
When setting out new boxes, consider the preferred habitat for different
species—plus the size of the entrance hole and the height above ground.
Face eastward for warmth.
When setting out new boxes, consider the preferred habitat for different
species—plus the size of the entrance hole and the height above ground.
Face eastward for warmth.
Rake Leaves Under Shrubs to create mulch and natural feeding areas for
ground-feeding birds, such as sparrows, towhees, and thrashers.
Earthworms, pill bugs, insects and spiders will thrive there, and be eaten
by songbirds.
ground-feeding birds, such as sparrows, towhees, and thrashers.
Earthworms, pill bugs, insects and spiders will thrive there, and be eaten
by songbirds.
Remove Invasive Plants from your property. Learn which species are
native. Most invasive species crowd out the native species of trees, shrubs,
vines and groundcovers that provide migrating birds a mix of foods and
better nesting sites.
native. Most invasive species crowd out the native species of trees, shrubs,
vines and groundcovers that provide migrating birds a mix of foods and
better nesting sites.
Reduce Your Lawn By At Least 25% to favor meadow plants and taller
grasses. Tall grasses provide seeds and nesting places for birds. Cut this
meadow just once each year; let the rest of the lawn grow 3 to 4 inches tall
before cutting. Avoid lawn pesticides, artificial fertilizers and sprinklers.
Learn more about healthy habitats.
grasses. Tall grasses provide seeds and nesting places for birds. Cut this
meadow just once each year; let the rest of the lawn grow 3 to 4 inches tall
before cutting. Avoid lawn pesticides, artificial fertilizers and sprinklers.
Learn more about healthy habitats.
Create A Brush Pile in a corner of your property, if you have space, to
provide songbirds with shelter from extreme weather. When storms drop
limbs, heap them up. Layer logs or larger limbs first, then build the pile in
layers.
provide songbirds with shelter from extreme weather. When storms drop
limbs, heap them up. Layer logs or larger limbs first, then build the pile in
layers.
