Feeding wild birds is a highly contentious issue, particularly in Australia. While it is actively promoted in some countries, official advice from councils, environment departments, and conservation and wildlife rescue groups in Australia unequivocally warns against the risks of feeding wild birds. In Western Australia, it is strictly illegal to feed native fauna, including birds, without obtaining a license.

In an ideal world, people wouldn’t feed wild birds at all – but with as many as 30 to 50% of Australian households feeding birds, it’s important that people are aware of the risks of wild bird feeding and how to avoid harming the same wildlife they want to help.

Birdlife.org.au

Providing Food: Catering to Varied Diets

Birds have diverse dietary requirements. Providing an assortment of foods can help you attract various bird species. Key elements to consider when supplying food for Australian birds:

Native Plants and Trees

Native plants in your garden are the best food sources for local birds as they offer familiar and nutritionally appropriate diets:

• Nectar-Producing Flowers: Planting grevilleas, bottlebrushes (Callistemon), banksias, and kangaroo paws can attract nectar-feeding birds like honeyeaters, lorikeets, and wattlebirds. These flowers are rich in nectar and bloom at different times of the year, providing a continuous food supply.
• Fruit-Bearing Trees and Shrubs: Trees and shrubs like Lilly pilly, blueberry ash, and native cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis) produce fruits that attract species like figbirds, bowerbirds, and silvereyes.
• Seed-Producing Plants: Grasses and forbs like kangaroo grass and native daisies can draw seed-eating birds such as parrots and finches.

Bird Feeders

Supplementing native plants with bird feeders can increase food availability, especially during scarce times:

• Nectar Feeders: If native nectar sources are limited, specially designed nectar feeders can provide additional sustenance for nectarivores. Ensure the nectar solution mimics natural concentrations (four parts water to one part sugar).
• Seed Feeders: Fill these with seeds suited to Australian birds, such as millet, canary seed, and sunflower seeds. Avoid generic seed mixes that contain non-native ingredients.
• Fruit Feeders: Offer slices of fruits like apples, pears, and grapes to attract fruit-eating birds. Never offer citrus fruits or avocados, as these are toxic to birds.

Regularly clean feeders to prevent mould and the spread of diseases and keep them stocked during peak feeding times.

Omnivores and Carnivores

Many people feed magpies and kookaburras mince meat, thinking it’s a healthy treat. However, mince lacks the nutrients that carnivorous and omnivorous birds need from their natural diet of insects, fur, and small mammals’ bones. Feeding mince meat to adult birds can cause health problems for their young, leading to brittle bones from insufficient calcium. Additionally, minced meat can stick to the beaks of birds like kookaburras and tawny frogmouths, which can cause bacterial infections. If you are feeding kookaburras or magpies, offer them dry dog food, crickets, or mealworms.

Providing Water: Essential for Hydration and Hygiene

In our dry Australian climate, water is especially vital for Australian birds, not only for drinking but also for bathing to maintain their plumage. Offering water significantly increases the attractiveness of your garden to birds:

BIRDBATHS: A birdbath, whether store-bought or homemade, can become a central feature:

• Design and Placement: Choose a shallow birdbath with gently sloping sides. Place it in a shaded area to keep the water cool and near shrubs or trees to provide cover from predators. Ensure the birdbath is stable and at a safe height.
• Maintenance: Clean birdbaths regularly to prevent algae buildup and mosquito breeding.

PONDS & WATER FEATURES: Integrating ponds or water features can offer a more naturalistic water source:

• Benefits of Running Water: Fountains, drippers, or small waterfalls are beautiful, and the moving water catches birds’ attention and stays fresher for longer.

Providing Shelter

Shelter is fundamental for protection, nesting, and roosting. Here’s how to ensure your garden offers safe havens:

NESTING SITES: Birds have varying nesting preferences. Providing diverse nesting opportunities can attract different species:

• Nest Boxes: Install nest boxes to cater to cavity-nesting birds like parrots, kookaburras, and pardalotes. Ensure boxes have appropriately sized entrance holes and are placed away from direct sunlight and predators.
• Dense Shrubberies and Hedges: Shrubs like callistemons, melaleucas, and wattles can provide excellent shelter for small birds like fairy wrens and thornbills.

LAYERED VEGETATION: Creating layers of vegetation can mimic natural habitats, promoting biodiversity:

• Ground Layer: For birds that forage on the ground, such as quails, red rump parrots, galahs, etc., use grasses, ground covers, and fallen leaves.
• Mid-Layer: Integrate mid-height shrubs and small trees ideal for perching, nesting, and foraging.
• Canopy Layer: Tall trees offer vantage points and nesting sites for larger species like eagles, cockatoos, and ibis.

Additional Considerations for a Bird-Friendly Garden

• Avoid Pesticides and Herbicides: Chemicals can harm birds directly or contaminate their food sources. Embrace organic gardening practices to ensure a safe environment.
• Minimize Environmental Hazards: Birds are susceptible to window collisions. Implement visible cues like decals, external screens, or bird-safe glass to reduce such incidents.
• Control Pets: Domestic pets, particularly cats, pose significant threats to birds. To minimise predation, supervise pets or create outdoor enclosures.
• Support Conservation Efforts: Participate in local bird conservation programs and citizen science projects like BirdLife Australia’s Atlas or the Aussie Backyard Bird Count. These initiatives support bird monitoring and conservation.

Attracting Specific Australian Birds

Different strategies may be required to attract specific groups of birds to your garden:

• Honeyeaters: Include nectar-rich flowers and low-branching shrubs for easy access.
• Parrots and Lorikeets: Plant eucalypts, wattles, and grevilleas for seeds and nectar, and install sturdy nesting boxes.
• Waterbirds: If you have the space, create larger water bodies with reeds and aquatic plants to attract ducks, swans, and herons.
• Small Songbirds: Dense shrubs and a mix of seeds and insects will encourage species like robins, flycatchers, and fairy-wrens.

Creating a bird-friendly garden in Australia involves nurturing an environment that harmonizes with local ecosystems. By providing diversified food sources through native plants, bird feeders, and favourable habitat structures, ensuring fresh water, and offering safe shelter, you can attract and sustain various Australian bird species. These actions enrich your garden’s biodiversity, enhance the local ecosystem, and add a dynamic natural beauty and activity layer. By fostering appreciation and conservation of native birds, you contribute meaningfully to the sustainability of Australia’s unique avian diversity.

Whether you are an ardent birdwatcher or a gardening enthusiast, a garden that welcomes birds can be a source of continuous joy and a testament to harmonious coexistence with nature.

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