How to attract birds to your backyard
Did you know that hummingbirds are effective pollinators and the only species of bird that can eat and fly at the same time?
Consider hanging a hummingbird feeder to provide a reliable food source for hummingbirds in urban spaces. A hummingbird feeder is also a great way to visit with these migratory pollinators before they head South again for Winter!
Find these birds in your backyard
The Ruby Throated Hummingbird is a small but mighty bird that contributes to pollination across Ontario. This bird is only 15-18cm long, and weighs between 15-20g, but feeds nearly constantly in order to fuel its packed pollination schedule and speedy metabolism.
Easily identified by its striking red colour, Northern Cardinals are a songbird who make their presence in our environment known by providing a natural melody, and feeding off of seeds from mature plants, as well as pest insects in your backyard.
Fun fact: Cardinals are one of the few species of songbird wherein the females produce sound or “sing”, as opposed to only the males! Female cardinals can be identified by their more muted, brown and orange tones, in comparison to the bright red of their male counterparts.
Bluejays are spirited visitors to our yards and their bright blue head and tail make their identification simple yet marvelous!
Bluejays are notorious hoarders that will travel various distances and directions to find and stockpile food. This transportation of (mainly) seeds benefits our local ecosystem by providing a wider radius for seed distribution and subsequently contributing to biodiversity in Ontario.
Plants that will attract and feed birds in your backyard
Trumpet Creeper is a fantastic and low-maintenance addition to any garden as its bright colour and resource rich blooms attract a variety of pollinators. Hummingbirds like it because of its shape, abundance of nectar, bright red colour and height – as it gives them plenty of space to hover as they feed on this flower’s notorious high nectar supply.
Sunflowers are a versatile feature in any flower garden, popular among every daytime pollinator! Sunflowers also provide food by way of their seeds, for our songbirds like Bluejays and Chickadees. These species of bird are able to remove and carry sunflower seeds in their beak or feet and gain valuable nutrients like fats and protein from consuming them.
