It would be a great thing if we are able to make our backyard an alternative habitat for wild birds, because this will definitely increase the overall desirability. When landscaping for birds, we should consider various necessities, such as water, shelter and food. If our backyard is attractive enough, some birds may build nests and more birds will visit our garden. In order to increase the chance of birds using our backyard, we should use native plants especially that become natural feed for local birds. Native grasses, flowers, shrubs and trees should be quite inviting for any bird in the area. Exotic plants may look unique and pretty, but they would be less appealing to local wildlife. Before landscaping for birds, we should know about the local species of birds and what kind of food and shelter they prefer. There could be seasonal changes on the presence and behaviours of the local birds, so we need to take this into account as well.
Likely foods for birds include nectar, seeds, nuts, grains, acorns, fruits and berries. Bird bath, water garden and pond could also provide birds with a place to splash water and move around. They use the water for bathing or drinking. With enough preparation, we should be able to get multiple layers of various wildlife. If we want to encourage nesting, sheltering and roosting among birds, we may need to choose tall trees, instead of shrubs and bushes. Birds can be enticed if we plant multiple layers of vegetation. As an example, low growing plants can be placed towards the front, in the center we may have medium height plants and towards the back of the garden, there should be taller plants. This will prevent our landscape to look overcrowded and we will be able to see all different kinds of plants in the area. Some birds prefer to stay in areas with thick or bushy vegetation as their natural instincts to avoid local predators, including cats and hawks.
Vegetation needs to provide proper shelter against severe weather conditions. It means that birds will be protected against rainwater, strong winds and light snow when they take shelter. If we want to increase the biodiversity in the area, it is a good thing if we provide different kinds of food. As an example, one bird species may prefer nuts and seeds, while others could prefer fruits and berries. Flowering plant species with rich nectar could attract hummingbirds, which could significantly increase the appeal of our house. When we put flowering bushes in our backyard, we will also attract more insects and this could provide alternative food for similar or different kinds of birds. If we want to provide shelter during winter, it is a good idea to have evergreen plants. The shelter should provide enough protection against rain, snow and wind, so we could add multiple wooden bird houses. As long as we use common sense, it should be fairly easy for us to perform landscaping for birds.