Making a Bird Friendly Garden
If you would like to have birds in the garden, then creating the right environment for them is important.
Both native and exotic plants will attract birds, and they do so for a variety of reasons. Some plants provide food, including nectar and insects, others provide shelter, such as nesting places as well as a refuge from predators, nesting material, plants that provide suitable material to construct nests.
Dense thicket like shrubs are better for attracting small birds, and remember, water is also great for attracting birds.
Some of the best bird attracting plants include, correa, banksia, salvia, epacris impressa, grevillia and kangaroo paw. And the Rainbow Lorikeet (pictured right) just loves the Kniphofia in the garden.
Choose plants to provide
- Food. Nectar and insects
- Shelter. Protection from predators. Prickly plants provide shelter for small birds.
- Nesting and nesting materials
- Water
List of bird attracting plants
- For shelter include, prickly Plants that provide shelter such as :
Hakea, Banksias, Lambertia and some Acacias attract birds for shelter. - For providing nectar and insects include both native plants and exotics such as :
Anigozanthos (Kangaroo Paws) Grevilleas, Banksias, Acacias, Baekeas, Callistemons, Correas, Melaluecas, Leptospermums, Syzygium. Kennedia, Dianella, Kunzea, Salvia and Thyptomene. These plants attract birds for food. - Grasses and reeds attract birds to the garden by providing nesting materials.
Poa, Themeda and Stipa are a few.
Other plants include:
Ajuga, Alyssum, Aster, Bee balm, Black-eyed Susan, Cardinal flower (Lobelia), Columbine (Aquilegia), Coneflower (Echinacea), Daylily (Hemerocallis), Evening primrose, Foxgloves, Geraniums, Hibiscus, Mahonia, Nandina, Nicotiana, Primrose, Red hot poker (Kniphofia), Salvia, Sedum, Sunflowers, Verbena, Viburnum and Zinnia.
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