The world of birds is vast, and avian species are found on all seven continents. Some birds are particular and only reside in specific locations, while others can be found around the world. The Salish Sea region is home to many birds. There are roughly 220 bird species known to make King County their home. Some of these species are year-round residents while others are regular visitors, staying for a whole season or just taking a break on their migratory journey. While some birds have an affinity for wild forests, the slopes of the Cascades, or murky wetlands, others have adapted to living alongside humans. For these birds, backyards (including rooftops, balconies, and patios) offer valuable habitat.

A habitat provides four key elements: food, water, shelter, and space. The more habitat elements a backyard can offer, the more birds it will attract. While large backyards can provide a deluxe habitat for many birds, even small backyards can be a bird haven. As urban development expands, the smallest patch of greenery or a bird bath becomes an oasis in a sea of concrete. Backyards play an important role as corridors and resting places for resident urban birds as well as those passing through.

There are multiple factors that influence the types and number of birds that may make a backyard home. One is the proximity of a backyard to other open spaces. Backyards near greenbelts, parks, or in more rural areas will often be home to birds less tolerant of the hustle and bustle of human activity. Birds such as the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) have lived alongside humans for so long that they prefer a city sidewalk to a rural woodland.

Another big influence is plant diversity. Birds need plants for food, shelter, and nesting sites. While some birds eat the seeds and berries produced by plants, others rely on flower nectar or insects associated with plants.

Backyard size is a third factor. An acre of backyard offers more space for birds than a condo patio. Larger birds need more space and are more likely to be seen in a bigger backyard. Nevertheless, small spaces can be important habitat for some species. An apartment balcony may never be called home by a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), but it can be a rest and refuel station for an Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna).

Some bird species that are frequent urban backyard residents include:

• American Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus)
• American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
• American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
• Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna)
• Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii)
• Black-Capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)
• Dark-Eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)
• European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
• House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)
• House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
• Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
• Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)
• Red-Breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)
• Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)
• Steller’s Jay (Poecile atricapillus)
• White-Crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

birds and plants

Plants and birds go hand in hand (leaf in wing?). The more abundant a backyard’s plant diversity is, the more birds it will attract. Although backyard size is a limiting factor, plant abundance is more important when it comes to providing habitat. An estate with a pristine lawn but no other flora will not attract a wide array of bird species, whereas a smaller city backyard filled with a variety of plants has much more to offer.

There is a wide variety of diets amongst birds, so a backyard with a medley of plants (trees, shrubs, and ground covers) becomes a buffet that will satisfy a greater selection of birds. Some backyard birds are seed eaters while others prefer nuts, berries, invertebrates (slugs, worms, insects, spiders, etc.), or nectar. A garden filled with wildflowers may be a hummingbird paradise but does not have the berries needed to satisfy a Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)’s appetite.

Plants also provide shelter from predators and offer nesting sites. While some birds prefer building nests in trees, other birds, such as the Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) are ground nesters. Birds that nest on the ground still need shelter and protection. A Dark-eyed Junco is more likely to build a nest in a backyard with low branches, logs, or tree roots than in the middle of a grass lawn. While deciduous plants have much to offer during the spring and summer, once their leaves begin to fall, birds become reliant on evergreen plants to provide shelter from not only predators but from winter weather.

Small backyards can maximize their space with a little creativity. Hanging pots and trellises take advantage of vertical space and allow for more plants to be grown. Some small birds such as the House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) will even nest in flower pots.

There are many non-native plants that offer food and shelter for birds, but native plants are the gold-star choice. Native birds have evolved alongside native plants. Birds know these plants are safe food choices and prefer them to introduced species. Native plants also attract native insects, which are the staple of some birds’ diets.

House Finch. photo by Sarah Ottino

water sources

Birds need water for drinking and bathing. The easiest way to provide water is to put out a bird bath or shallow dish; the water level in a bird bath should be no more than 3 inches deep. Most birds prefer to have good sightlines when bathing, so placing a bird bath in an open area will be most appealing to potential birdy bathers.

For more spacious backyards, ponds and fountains are decorative water features that can benefit birds. Hummingbirds seldom drink water since they stay hydrated with the nectar they consume. They do still need to bathe and have an affinity for sprayed and misted water, and when feeling bold, they will fly through the spray of a gardener’s hose.

Bird baths and dishes should be cleaned every few days, especially in the summer, to prevent algae, bacteria, and viruses from making birds sick. Non-toxic treatments should be used when cleaning bird baths and water features.

Anna’s Hummingbird at feeder. photo by John F. Williams

Like bird feeders, bird houses can be beneficial but should not be a replacement for natural habitat features. Bird houses are also not one-size-fits-all. Birds have unique nesting requirements, and certain bird house styles only appeal to certain birds. For backyards that are too small to plant trees or large shrubs, well-placed bird houses can be a good substitute. Bird houses, however, can also be a habitat for insects, rodents, bacteria, and viruses. To prevent disease or infestations, clean out old nesting material in the fall after all birds have left the nest.

Cat outdoors. photo by Zaur Takhgiriev via Pexels

Unfortunately, not all bird species can survive outside of these unique habitats, but for others, backyards can offer a temporary or permanent habitat. However, an urban garden can go from an ideal habitat to a hazard if chemical pesticides and herbicides are used. Natural gardening practices are crucial for the safety of birds and other wildlife.

While not every backyard may be a “perfect” habitat, every outdoor space can provide some habitat elements. Providing plants and water is key to supporting birds in urban and suburban environments. While backyards may not be wild, they still are a part of the local ecosystem and play an important role in bird survival.

resources

For Cities Where People and Birds Thrive — Birds Connect Seattle

Native Plants That Feed Our Birds — Birds Connect Seattle

Bird Feeding and Care — National Audubon Society

Wild Birds and Window Collisions — Salish Magazine

Creating Songbird Habitat — Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

PNW Plants and the Birds that Use Them — Washington Native Plant Society

Native Plant Gardening for Birds, Bees & Butterflies: Pacific Northwest by Jaret C. Daniels

Birds of the Pacific Northwest by Tom Aversa, Richard Cannings and Hal Opperman

Eastside Audubon

Kitsap Audubon Society

Skagit Audubon Society

get involved – participate in community science

Great Backyard Bird Count

Neighborhood Bird Project — Birds Connect Seattle

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