10 Tips for Backyard Birding From National Wildlife Federation

By David Mizejewski, naturalist, National Wildlife Federation

Of all wildlife, birds are the easiest to see and enjoy. Especially around our homes. While mammals, reptiles and amphibians use camouflage, silence or only being active at night to avoid people, birds can be seen and heard all around us every day. Whether you live in the heart of the city, in the burbs or out in the county, birding is a great way to relax and connect with nature.

Follow these 10 tips for attracting and enjoying birds to your own yard or neighborhood. You’ll become an expert birder in no time!

A hummingbird taking nectar from a small flower. It's flying in a field full of small orange and pink wild flowers.

Costa’s Hummingbird

How to enjoy birding in your backyard

Plant natives — Want to see more wild birds? The best way is to plant native trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses, which are the natural habitat for birds. Plants provide cover, nesting places and feed birds with their seeds, berries, nuts and nectar. Learn how to build a wildlife garden.
Keep feeders clean — That said, there’s nothing wrong with a few bird feeders — as long as you keep them clean to avoid spreading disease. Regularly wash your feeders to disinfect them, and let them dry completely before refilling. Just remember, feeders are a supplement, not habitat.
Don’t use pesticides — Insects are a critically important food source for birds. Some 96% of backyard birds rely on insects as food for their babies. If you spray pesticides, you kill this food source. Remember, the majority of insects are harmless or beneficial. A bug-filled garden attracts more birds! Native plants support the most insects.
Keep your cat indoors — Free-ranging domesticated cats kill more than 4 billion wild birds every year. It’s not the cat’s fault, but this unnatural predation from a domesticated species is an extension of our own impact on wildlife. Spay or neuter your cat and keep it indoors. It’s safer for your cat too!
Turn out the lights — Light pollution causes migrating birds to become disoriented and fatally crash into buildings. As many as 3.4 billion birds die every year in the U.S. from hitting windows, many of them during migration. Reduce light pollution by turning outdoor lights off when you go to bed or put them on timers.
Use your ears — Given that many bird species are small and are most active in the cover of trees and other vegetation, it can be hard to spot them. Use your ears as well as your eyes. Birds are some of the most vocal wildlife and once you start to learn their calls, you’ll experience more species than you’ll ever see.
Get up early — Most birds rise with the sun, so your best chance of seeing or hearing them is in the morning.
Practice stillness — Most birds are prey for other animals (including other birds). They’re constantly on the lookout for predators. You’ll have the most success experiencing birds if you keep movement to a minimum. You don’t have to build a blind to hide in, but find a comfortable spot to relax and birds will ignore you and go about their business.
Be present — Resist the urge to reach for your phone to get a photo. You’re likely only going to see the bird for a few seconds, so just enjoy and observe. Don’t miss out on the moment just to get a blurry photo.
Use field guides — The exception to the previous tip is when you really want to learn more about birds and identify the species you’re seeing and hearing. Use binoculars and your phone to get pics and recordings of birdsong. Then use a field guide to help you identify species. There are many excellent printed field guides, including regional ones, that will help you identify birds based on visual markings and songs that will also tell you about their habitat and behavior. There are also some great digital guides and apps, including the Merlin Bird ID app from Cornell Lab of Ornithology which will identify birds based on their call.

A pileated woodpecker sitting in a tree. It's mostly dark brown and grey with some orange coloring on the top of its head.

Pileated Woodpecker | Credit: Braelei Hardt

If you follow these tips, you’ll create a haven for wild birds right where you live and increase your chances of getting to see and hear this wonderful, feathered wildlife. When you do, the National Wildlife Federation will recognize your bird-friendly yard or other garden space as a Certified Wildlife Habitat.

For more tips on attracting birds and gardening for wildlife, pick up Mizejewski’s book Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife.

Learn more about Mizejewski and see him featured on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild.