Birds in the City

Pigeons are not the only birds that can be found living in big cities.   If you live in a city-setting you can attract many of the same birds that visit your suburban and rural neighbors.   You don’t need an intricate garden or lots of acreage to provide the basics for the birds.  Birds need food, water, shelter and protection and you can offer this from a small balcony or terrace, courtyard or even from your window sill.

Eating Hot Spots
With limited space, one of the best ways to incorporate a bird feeder to your outdoor space is with a window feeder.  Perky Pet® offers both nectar and seed feeders that are very easy to install and mount to your outside windows with suction cups.

If you have even a small amount of backyard space, you might also want start with a more traditional tube feeder.  There are several feeders that hold smaller quantities of seed and will take up less space.  The smaller tube feeders can be inexpensive, decorative or highly functional. If your backyard space does not have a lot of trees to hang your feeder, a simple mounting pole will do the trick, without overwhelming your yard.

Floral District
Birds are naturally attracted to flowers, so adding some brightly colored plants and flowers in small potted plants, window box or hanging basket is another way to draw them in.  Hummingbirds in particular are attracted to deep orange and red blossom.  Many other birds are attracted to plants that grow small berries.  Additionally birds will use shrubbery and plants for shade and protection from predators.

Like many of us birds are creatures of habit.  Once they learn that you have food, water, shelter to offer them, they will continue to return. And bring with them a little bit of nature to big city living.