Attracting birds to your backyard can be as simple as hanging a feeder. If it contains anything resembling food that local birds like to eat, you can rest assured that some of them will find it and probably pass the word to a few of their friends. If you want to establish a truly bird-friendly habitat, however, there are a few other basic elements you should consider. Birds, like most creatures, enjoy spending their time in environments that provide easy access to food, water, shelter and a safe place to raise their young. Food There are a large variety of…

The easiest way to attract birds to your backyard in winter is to provide a reliable source of water.  Migrating birds will drop by for a drink or a bath, and resident birds will discover it and become your regular visitors. Birds need water for drinking and regular bathing, and in winter water often disappears. Freezing temperatures trap the available water, and the often cloudy days of winter keep it frozen for a surprising length of time.  Parts of the country are especially dry in winter, and whereas plants can shut down, birds still need to drink and bathe. Cleaned…