Canada is home to a wide variety of unique avian species, and sharing your garden with birds up close and personal can be a truly rewarding experience. Bird are natural pest control experts, and different species feed on different types of insects that may cause damage to your plants. Young birds are voracious eaters, and during nesting periods adults work fulltime to keep them fed with tasty bugs! The larvae of many insects and adults of pest species like beetles, grasshoppers, flies, ants, and other species are the targets of many common backyard birds, including:

Bluejays
Cedar Waxwings
Chickadees
Dark-eyed Juncos
Goldfinches
Orioles
Robins
Sparrows

However, birds will only flock to your garden if the conditions are right, so appealing to the specific tastes of the species you’re looking for is the ticket. Take some time to research the species common in your area, and reference these tips when it comes time to get started on your bird-friendly backyard.

Notice your regular visitors. Many of us have high aspirations of spotting uncommon species, but when it comes to bringing some of the rarer breeds into your garden it’s important to remember that base populations matter to birds. Wild birds prefer to eat together, and will be more likely to investigate your space if it’s a ‘popular hangout’. The next time you’re strolling through your garden, take a note of the visitors. They can provide a clear plan for which starter seeds and feeders you should invest in. As more birds and species arrive later on, you may adjust accordingly.

Sunflowers are your friend. Cardinals, finches, nuthatches, blue jays – the list of birds that eat sunflower seeds is a long one indeed. You can even grow sunflowers in your garden and let the birds feed off the heads in late summer and fall! We would recommend the Giant Mammoth Russian variety, due to their large size and sturdiness. The sunflower is the bread and butter of the backyard bird world, and a great way to attract winged friends of all shapes and sizes.

Creat cover. Trees and shrubs provide perches and shelter for birds to rest and avoid predators. Wide-open spaces aren't attractive places for birds to stop for a snack. Dense or thorny shrubs provide ideal shelter for small birds.  

Add a water source. When it comes to bringing birds to your garden, water is just as important as seeds. A bird bath is a great way to provide your guests with a place to drink and clean themselves, and will give your backyard an edge over other feeding grounds. Make sure to mind its state, keeping it clean and freshly watered. By the way, if you have outdoor cats, do the birds a lifesaving favour and position the bath in an open area away from bushes and ferns, or place a fence around it.

Don’t break the bank. Having every type of feeder and seed in your yard may seem like an easy win, but if you’re unsure which birds are native to your area or even your neighborhood, time spent may not yield a return in avian guests. For feeders, start small; a simple tube feeder is almost always a safe bet. Tip: make sure to buy one that is durable enough for the winter and inoperable by the pesky squirrels in your neighbourhood. Feeders should be cleaned and sanitized regularly. Alternatively, you can forgo the feeder and plant annual and perennial species that provide natural food sources for birds.

Plants to Feed the Birds

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
Chokeberry (Aronia)
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Dogwood (Cornus)
Elderberry (Sambucus)
Goldenrod (Solidago)
Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium)
Liatris
Serviceberry (Amelanchier)
Sea Holly (Eryngium)
Sunflower (Helianthus)
Tickseed (Coreopsis)
Winterberry (Ilex)

There are many other plants that are attractive to birds, and preferred species will vary depending on region and season. We recommend planting a wide variety of bird-friendly species to provide sources for food and nesting material across the seasons! Different birds will prefer different flowers, so take some time to watch for visitors and note which varieties they prefer. 

Transforming your garden into a paradise for birds will require patience. It may be a time investment, but the payoff is certainly worth the wait. Visit our stores for a full assortment of bird seed, feeders and houses. Happy gardening!