How to help local bird populations

The healing benefits of birds

A 2022 study showed a “significant positive association between seeing or hearing birds and improved mental well-being, even when accounting for other possible explanations such as education, occupation, or the presence of greenery.” Natural stimuli, such as birdsong, can even help alleviate mental fatigue associated with living in stressful urban environments. Birds typically sing and make noise when there are no threats from predators. Humans have evolved to interpret bird song with safety. We find it relaxing.

Morning birdsong prompts cognitive activity. That waking alertness can reduce tiredness and make you more focused and productive throughout the day.

The special thing about birdsongs is that even if people live in very urban environments and do not have a lot of contact with nature, they link the songs of birds to vital and intact natural environments

Emil Stobbe, Centre for Environmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development

Birdwatching also helps us feel more connected to nature and more aware of its interdependent relationships, enhancing our sense of responsibility to respect, protect and restore it.

Bird population health in Canada

Birds are sensitive to environmental changes. In Canada, habitat loss, pesticides and contaminants, pollution and invasive species are among the main threats to birds. A 2019 study tracked a cumulative loss of nearly three billion birds in North America since 1970. Forest degradation is one of the leading causes of bird population decreases throughout the country.

Get to know local birds

Research which birds are likely to frequent your area. Apps like the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Merlin Bird ID can help you identify them. Check out thrift stores for second-hand local bird guides or search online. Lean on your community for support and knowledge exchange opportunities. Join a local birding group.

How to grow a bird-friendly garden that provides food and habitat

Welcome local birds by growing nesting materials and food. To help maximize your impact for birds specific to your area, find out what bird garden zone you’re in!

Birds eat a variety of foods and their diets change with age. For example, during their life cycle, 96 per cent of terrestrial North American bird species rely on insects for some part of their diet. Garden to attract native, beneficial insects like caterpillars (main food source for baby songbirds!), beetles and snails.

Growing a bird-friendly garden is a great way to start rewilding your green space or take it a step further!

Examples of native flowering plants good for nest-building materials and/or food:

• Purple coneflowers a.k.a. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea). The blooms attract butterflies, birds and other pollinators during summer and provide seeds for many bird species in fall. Plant this wildflower to support American goldfinches, black-capped chickadees, downy woodpeckers and others.
• Sunflowers (Helianthus). Iconic sunflower seeds are a great source of fuel for many migratory birds’ long journeys. Plant sunflowers to support pine siskins, purple finches, rose-breasted grosbeaks and others.
• Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis). The bright red tubular flowers attract hummingbirds who feed on their nectar.
• Milkweed (Asclepias). Though best known for hosting monarch butterfly caterpillars, American goldfinches, Baltimore orioles and black-capped chickadees and other bird species use the fibre and downy part of the seeds as nesting material.
• Velvet-leaved blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides). A delicious native edible perennial favoured by caterpillars like the northern azure. Bluebirds, flycatchers, orioles, woodpeckers and warblers are just a few that feed on caterpillars and blueberries.

Examples of native shrubs good for nest-building materials, habitat and/or food:

• Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum). Many species of birds, including American robins, grey catbirds and northern mockingbirds, use this shrub to nest in or as cover.
• Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa). Birds eat the berries in winter after more desirable fruit has been depleted.
• Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis). Great for nesting materials, nesting sites and a convenient food source (once berries ripen).

Bonus! Many of these plants are edible perennials for humans too.

Caution: If you prune trees and shrubs in spring, watch for tiny nests (e.g., hummingbirds). Learn what to do if you find a downed nest (e.g., after a storm event), nestling or fledgling on the ground.

How to feed birds

Growing a bird-friendly garden is the best way to provide food and habitat for local birds. But it’s not an accessible option for everyone.

Bird feeders are popular for offering supplemental food to local bird populations. But without proper maintenance and care, they can do more harm than good.

Hummingbird feeders

Native flowering plants are the ideal food source for hummingbirds. You may wish to supplement during nesting season and migration (spring to late fall) with a well-maintained sugar-water feeder.

To avoid unintentional harm:

• Choose a safe spot. Hummingbirds prefer feeders in cool areas, protected from wind and direct sun where the nectar solution will spoil quickly. Hang feeders near shrubs and trees. Popular window feeders can increase the likelihood of window collisions. Place feeders one metre away from windows.
• Only use refined white sugar. Never use brown sugar, honey, powdered sugar, corn syrup, molasses, artificial sweeteners or raw, unprocessed sugars for nectar solution. These may contain ingredients harmful to hummingbirds.
• Never add red food colouring to the nectar solution. Hummingbirds are attracted to red, but red dye in feeders can hurt the birds.
• Empty and clean regularly. Empty and clean your feeder twice a week in hot weather and once a week when it’s cooler. Use regular tap water or a diluted vinegar solution. Avoid using dish soaps, which can leave a harmful residue.

Hummingbird nectar solution recipe

In a pot, combine:

• 60 ml (¼ cup) sugar
• 250 ml (1 cup) water

Bring to a boil until sugar is fully dissolved. Cool and fill feeder.

Bird feeders

Feeders are an excellent way to attract an array of local birds. They provide supplemental food, especially when natural supplies are scarce, such as in winter or during droughts. Birds expend tremendous energy during migratory seasons. Feeders offer much-needed spots to rest and refuel.

Though they’re one of the most accessible ways to support local birds, don’t make feeders the focus of your bird support. To truly support wildlife, focus on habitat over homes.

Four common types of bird feeders:

• Ground feeders. These screen-bottomed platform feeders typically sit a few inches off the ground or deck. Some have covers to keep out snow or wire mesh to discourage squirrels and other rodents. Place the feeder at least three metres from a tree or shrub so birds can flee predators. Great for ground foragers such as American goldfinches, dark-eyed juncos and fox, song and white-crowned sparrows.
• Sunflower seed tube feeders. Choose a model with metal ports around the seed dispensers to deter squirrels. Hang at least 1 ½ metres off the ground. Great for black-capped and boreal chickadees, purple finches and red-breasted nuthatches.
• Suet cage feeders. Suet, made of rendered animal fat (e.g., cow or mutton), flour, grains, seed and/or nut butter, is high in calories. It’s a great supplement during cooler months when natural food is scarce. Buy a feeder and suet or make your own — see the recipe below!
• Hopper feeders. Birds hopping on the feeder trigger the release of seeds — great for keeping larger amounts of feed dry. Hang on a pole about 1 ½ metres off the ground or from a tree branch. Helps many smaller birds, plus larger ones such as brown-headed cowbirds, red-winged blackbirds and Canada and Stellar’s jays.

To avoid unintentional harm:

• Choose a safe spot. Prevent window strikes, collisions, injuries, predation and conflicts with other wildlife. Place feeders at least one metre away from windows, in a protected area away from wind, rain and snow. Apply decals or tape on nearby windows.
• Keeps feeders clean. Clean them every two or so weeks. Clean more frequently after periods of high use, disease outbreaks and/or wet weather. Take feeder apart. Handwash with boiling water and soap. Rinse thoroughly. Let dry completely before refilling.
• Stay aware of local bird disease outbreaks. Bird feeders can be hot spots for spreading diseases like salmonella, conjunctivitis and avian influenza. Remove bird feeders during risk periods. Consult your local SPCA for advice.
• Clean the ground below feeders. Regularly remove uneaten seeds, hulls and other waste. Rodents and other wildlife will be attracted to spilled feed. Buildups can also result in mouldy or spoiled food harmful to pets, birds and other wildlife.

How to create a birdbath

The worsening climate crisis has contributed to increasing water scarcity and prolonged periods of drought. That impacts everyone and everything, including wildlife.

A water source in your bird-friendly yard or garden encourages and supports bird visitors. Bonus: It also provides cooling respite during warmer months and heat waves.

Birdbaths are the most common, affordable way to provide water. Choose from many types — pedestal, ground, heated, mounted, hanging. You can even make your own!

To avoid unintentional harm:

• Reject birdbaths containing lead, zinc and/or copper. Some metals are toxic to birds. Avoid glazed ceramic unless the glaze is lead-free. Opt for cast aluminum, cast iron, tempered glass or granite.
• Keep your birdbath clean and fresh. Replace water every other day to prevent algae, grime buildup and disease transmission. Stagnant water attracts mosquitoes! Clean between refreshes with a solution made of one part white vinegar, nine parts water.
• Place away from woody brush and bird feeders. Falling debris and seeds can dirty the water quickly.

How to provide bird nesting material

Attract and support birds by offering nesting material! It’s a great way to complement other rewilding efforts like pollinator-friendly gardening and planting a butterfly garden.

Solutions to common bird problems for homeowners

Birds are vital to ecosystems. But their behaviour can be a nuisance to humans—even lead to conflicts. The good news? You can prevent risks to them and you by identifying and deterring specific bird behaviours.

Nesting

To protect themselves and their offspring from predators in more forested areas, birds often nest near or around houses and buildings.

If a bird is nesting near your home, minimize disturbances. Keep a respectful distance, minimize foot traffic and postpone planned projects or construction for that area. The good news? Most songbirds (e.g., robins, warblers, ravens, crows, finches, etc.) nest for about a month. To ensure the parents won’t abandon their nest, leave it alone and minimize disturbance around it until the young have fledged.

If you try to relocate the nest, birds will often abandon it. Consider moving it only in the most extreme circumstances. If you must move a nest, keep it within half a metre of the original location. Monitor the new location closely to ensure the parents return. If they don’t, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for advice.

How to identify nesting sites:

• Regularly inspect areas under eaves, porches, patios and sheltered spots where birds might build nests.
• Look for droppings, nesting materials (twigs, grass, feathers, etc.) and increased bird activity in specific areas.
• Listen for bird chatter.

Want to keep birds away? Try these humane, non-lethal, eco-friendly strategies:

• Block access. Install bird netting or mesh over likely areas, such as vents, chimneys and eaves. Use humane bird spikes on sloped surfaces to make potential nesting spots less appealing.
• Use sound. Discourage nesting by using sound-based deterrents like wind chimes. Bonus: they add a lovely ambiance!
• Use scents. Birds don’t like certain smells, like citrus. Add a few drops of lemon essential oil to a spray bottle of water. Spray on your porch, patio and any attractive nesting spots.
• Use sight. Birds don’t like shiny objects, especially ones that move. Cut aluminum foil into strips and hang it on your porch or patio. Or hang old CDs on a string.

Digging and nibbling

A physical barrier is the best way to stop birds from nibbling on your garden. Use netting or wire cloches around fruit trees, berry bushes and other plants birds like to eat. Try planting bird-repelling flowers and herbs such as rosemary, lavender and chamomile. Both methods will also help prevent birds from digging up flowerpots and soil when hunting for worms and grubs, harming other plants in the process.

Pecking

Male woodpeckers often pound on hard, loud and resonating objects outside a home (e.g., chimneys, gutters, eaves, window shutters, etc.) during the morning. This territorial behaviour occurs mostly during courtship and nesting seasons. To deter them, drape plastic or aluminum foil over the area.

If a woodpecker is damaging walls and siding, it’s often because there are insects in the wood (e.g., carpenter bees, ants, termites, etc.). To prevent this, remove the food source.