How To Attract Birds in the City

Easy Tips To Improve Your Bird Population...

By Richard Worden

Birds are a stunning addition to any outdoor living space, no matter how small. Not to mention, bird watching is an addicting activity. So, how can you attract more birds to your home if you live in the city?

You can attract birds in the city by setting out plenty of bird feeders, using quality bird food, creating greenery, and providing shelter for visiting birds. Providing a clean water source will also increase the chance of birds visiting your yard. Attracting birds will take time, so be patient.

In the rest of this article, I will discuss the top methods for attracting birds in a city, like which food and feeders work best. I will also go over how to add more plant life to your yard or balcony for birds to enjoy. So if you want to learn more about attracting birds in the city, read on. 

1. Set Up the Right Bird Feeders

First, setting up suitable bird feeders in your outdoor space is essential. Feeders are the primary reason birds will visit your home. Now, any bird feeder can attract birds; however, some are more effective than others. 

The best way to ensure you have a good feeder is by adding variety to your home and garden. Having multiple feeders also ensures that more birds can eat at once. So which feeders are best for attracting city birds?

Great feeders that will attract birds in the city:

• Thistle feeders
• Nectar feeders
• Tube feeders
• Nyjer feeders
• Platform feeders 

There are several types of feeders that work well in urban areas. The best way to figure out what works for the birds in your area is to create options for them. So, let's take a look at some of the best feeders on Amazon.com for attracting city birds.
how to attract birds in the city

2. Choose High-Quality Bird Food

Once you have your bird feeders, the next step is selecting the right food. Using high-quality bird seed is best since it will attract a wider array of birds to your property. Typically, the bag of food you're purchasing will list the type of birds it's known for attracting. 

Some of the best seeds to include are:

• Black oil sunflower seeds. 
• Nyjer or thistle seeds.
• White proso millet.
• Shelled and cracked corn.
• Peanuts.
• Golden millet.
• Flax seeds. 
• Canary Seeds. 

These are all great seeds to include in your feeders. However, you can also attract city birds with more basic seeds. Just be sure to read the package of seeds to see what sorts of birds it will attract to your yard.
 

3. Create More Plant Life

Another critical step in how to attract birds in the city is creating more plant life. Again, your small yard or balcony will work perfectly. Add more potted plants and flowers. Tiny shrubs are fantastic because birds will feel like they have someplace to hide. Additionally, the vibrant colors of flowers attract a bird's attention.

The more shrubbery, flowers, and other greenery you add to your outdoor living space, the more success you will have with attracting birds.

4. Provide a Good Water Source

Another essential step is providing a clean water source. Birds need clear water to bathe and drink, so things like bird baths will go a long way in ensuring birds become regular visitors to your yard. If you want to go one step further, birds are particularly fond of running water, so adding some running water fountains is ideal.

If you want an awesome running bird bath I recommend Alpine Corporation’s 3-Tiered Pedestal Water Fountain (available on Amazon.com). This bird bath is beautiful and the water dish is shallow so that birds don’t drown. Additionally, it's made of durable material and the water runs continually to attract more birds. how to attract birds in the city

5. Set Up Plenty of Shelters

The next key is setting up shelter for the birds. As I previously stated, shrubbery is an excellent form of shelter. However, several other options ensure birds feel safe in your yard. 

The best forms of bird shelter:

• Thick plants
• Birdhouses
• Nesting boxes 

Your bird friends will also welcome other types of hiding places. If your yard or balcony sees a lot of predators like cats or larger birds, the shelter will be vital. Providing a few places to hide will ensure you receive regular bird visitors. 

6. Add Vibrant Colors to Your Setup

Finally, if you wish to regularly attract birds into your yard or balcony, you need to add colors. Birds have great vision and are attracted to things that have vibrant colors. Of course, bright flowers are ideal for this, but you can also add colorful yard decorations that mimic the colorations of garden flowers.

How To Attract Birds In The City...Conclusion

Attracting birds in the city isn't tricky; there are a few surefire ways to get birds to visit your yard. However, getting birds to visit often takes time, so you will have to be patient and adjust your outdoor space until you find what works. Good food and water generally does the trick as long as the space feels safe to the birds.

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Hi! I'm Richard Worden, the author and founder of We Know Birds.

Over 20 years ago I developed a keen interest in birds and birdwatching, and it has been my passion ever since. I am committed to spreading useful knowledge about birds to others so we might all enjoy them to the fullest.

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