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Bird Gardening 

Bird-friendly flowers planted strategically can really help.

It is theoretically possible to attract birds by a number of different methods.  Some of these include providing food, bird housing and water for them.  Largely not discussed is one the best ways to entice certain birds into your garden.  It is to plant flowers that they would feed from in the wild. 

Birds are first and foremost wild creatures, so they will be attracted to their own natural food sources before they will eat seed from a bird feeder. You can ensure that your garden is the number one food stop for the birds of your choice by doing research and providing a feast of their favorite eats. 

What kind of birds do you want to attract to your yard? 

Depending on the bird you wish to attract, you might be going to the nursery for shrubs, green plants and/or flowers. Creating a bird garden takes time and thoughtful planning. You need to view your backyard from a "bird's eye view" and consider the main elements of what each bird needs before planting anything. 

Consider these little thought of tips and ideas: 

The proximity of shrubs and brush around your yard. 

Do birds have enough shelter from the elements and from predators? 
The number, height and girth of the surrounding trees are so important. One of the top priorities for a bird is a good nesting spot.

Different wild birds have different nesting requirements, so learn as much as you can. Remember, you can always install a few nesting boxes to entice a bird mother-to-be into your yard. 

There always has to be an adequate food and water source. This can be natural or installed - a feeder and a bird bath will do for most birds during the cold months. 

When planting a bird garden, consider the colors and types of flowers to plant.

Choosing flowers that will attract birds to your garden will not only create a beautiful array of color, but may even draw more varied creatures than you had originally bargained for. 

Often, certain flowers will attract butterflies and most importantly, the insects that your bird population needs to eat. 

Be careful about what you plant and provide, however; you are providing a habitat for birds and that means you need to be aware of what could make them sick. 

You don't want to poison the birds that you've worked so hard to attract to your yard. 

When you've planted a garden that's perfect for you and the wildlife in your neighborhood, you can feel good in the fact that you've done a great thing and provided not only hours of entertainment for yourself, but a constant source of living requirements for birds and other animals.