Written by Matt Stevens | Sponsored by Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning

So you’re ready to create a backyard oasis for your feathered friends?

Attracting birds to your backyard will add a sense of calm and an element of beauty to your space. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to create a welcoming area, here are a few easy and inexpensive tips for making the best sanctuary for your buck.

1. Bird Feeders

It seems like a no-brainer, right? Give them access to food, and they’ll be happy to drop by for a visit. There are many types of bird feeders, most of which correspond to the type of food they dispense. You can find feeders in your local home improvement store, or you can create one at home at a lower cost. You can even roll a pine cone in peanut butter and bird seed for a quick, easy feeder. While there’s a lot of great information on bird feeders out there, here are three easy types of feeders you can make yourself.

Tube feeders

These will attract a bunch of different kinds of birds and will hold various types of feed. These are very easy to hang, which has helped them become one of the most common types of feeders. (Try this DIY birdfeeder made from a breadcrumb container.)

Hopper feeders

These feeders appear house or barn-like. These are great for attracting larger birds, since they can hold a greater amount of feed.

Nectar feeders

These are often called hummingbird feeders because — you guessed it — they feed hummingbirds. If you have a nectar feeder with a strong perch, it will intrigue other types of birds as well.

2. Water features

Birdbaths and ponds provide a spot for birds to drink and clean themselves. Adding a feature to your yard can add an extra incentive for your new flying friends. Keep in mind that birds are attracted to flowing sources of water that contain plenty of escape routes in case of predators.

3. Birdhouses

Birdhouses can be a place to get out of storms or a way to escape from predators. Either way, they don’t have to be expensive. You can easily make one at home with a few inexpensive building supplies and a couple swings of a hammer.

Things to remember

Birds pay attention to the plants and predators that grace your yard. Trees with more branches and insects will attract more birds, and yards with a greater presence of cats and other predators will keep the birds away.

Also, the dirt and debris in your gutters can actually deter birds from your feeders, so make sure they’re clean. We don’t want you having to go all the way up the ladder, though. You can leave that to the pros at Ned Stevens.

Do you have any suggestions on how to help your backyard become the bird sanctuary of your dreams?

Matt Stevens is a true renaissance man over at Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning. From gutter services to quality control to the occasional blog post, he does it all. That’s probably because he’s been with the company his whole life—literally. His grandfather is Ned Stevens.

Bonus:

Listen to this Green Divas Heart Wildlife radio segment about the decline of songbirds:

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