Backyard Birds of Nebraska: Attract Feathered Friends to Your Garden (2024)

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You’ll attract a delightful assortment of backyard birds in Nebraska by catering to their needs.

Platform and hopper feeders lure cardinals and jays, while tube feeders appeal to finches.

Provide suet for woodpeckers and nuthatches.

Maintain a clean bird bath.

Offer appropriate birdhouses for cavity-nesters like chickadees.

Enhance your landscape with native plants, avoiding pesticides.

Add nectar-rich blooms for hummingbirds.

From year-round robins to summer barn swallows and winter juncos, your yard can become an avian haven.

Discover more about Nebraska’s feathered residents and how to create an inviting oasis for them.

Common Backyard Birds

As a nature enthusiast, you’re likely captivated by the vibrant presence of backyard birds.

These feathered friends not only enliven our gardens with their melodies and vivid colors but also play important roles in our ecosystem.

In Nebraska, you can expect to encounter a diverse array of common backyard birds, each with its unique charm and behavior.

From the cheerful song of the American Robin to the brilliant crimson hue of the Northern Cardinal, these avian visitors will surely enrich your outdoor experience.

Observe their intricate dances as they forage for insects, sip from your bird bath, or feast on the native plants you’ve thoughtfully cultivated.

Immerse yourself in the joys of birdwatching and contribute to conservation efforts by creating a welcoming sanctuary in your own backyard.

Bird Feeders and Baths

To attract a variety of backyard birds in Nebraska, you’ll need different types of feeders and bird baths.

Platform feeders and hopper feeders cater to common birds like cardinals and blue jays.

While tube feeders are designed for smaller species such as finches and chickadees.

And suet feeders provide high-calorie food for woodpeckers and nuthatches.

Additionally, clean bird baths with shallow, moving water not only provide drinking and bathing opportunities but also attract more feathered visitors to your yard.

Platform Feeders

For a classic backyard bird feeding experience, platform feeders are ideal. These open-tray designs attract common species like cardinals and blue jays. Offer a variety of seed types, and strategically place the feeders for prime bird watching opportunities. Observe their delightful pecking and social behaviors unfold right before your eyes!

Hopper Feeders

For hopper feeders, strategically place them near cover for birds’ safety, offering a seed variety. Clean regularly to prevent mold and disease. Weatherproof them, and consider squirrel deterrents for uninterrupted feathered visitors. These versatile feeders attract a wide range of backyard birds for enduring enjoyment.

Tube Feeders

Tube feeders are perfect for attracting smaller birds like finches, chickadees, and nuthatches. With varying tube sizes to fit different seed preferences, you can cater to several species. Be sure to clean them regularly and consider adding socks or baffles for winter use when seeds may get damp. Position near cover to attract more feathered visitors.

Suet Feeders

You’ll also want to offer suet feeders for woodpeckers, nuthatches, and other insect-eating birds. These high-calorie cakes provide essential fats and protein. Place suet feeders:

• Near tree trunks or hanging from branches
• Out of direct sun to prevent melting
• At varying heights for different species
• Using a tail-prop design for clinging birds

Suet is an irresistible treat for many feathered friends in your Nebraska backyard.

Bird Bath Features

Suet feeders aren’t the only way to attract feathered friends; bird baths are equally enticing. Moving water like a bubbler draws in birds like the Great Blue Heron and Common Loon. Heated baths allow year-round bathing for species like the Northern Cardinal. A shallow depth is preferred, and regular cleaning prevents disease transmission from birds like the American Coot and Northern Harrier.

Feature	Benefit
Moving Water	Attracts more birds
Heated Bath	Enable winter use
Shallow Depth	Birds prefer shallow water
Regular Cleaning	Prevents disease spread

Birdhouses and Nesting

Nebraska’s cavity-nesting birds like bluebirds, chickadees, and wrens will readily take up residence in a properly designed birdhouse.

When selecting a spot for your birdhouse, consider the birds’ preferences for location. Some species prefer houses mounted on trees or posts, while others like them affixed to buildings or fences.

Also, make sure there’s a nearby source of food and water.

Cavity-Nesting Birds

If you want to attract cavity-nesting birds like the white-breasted nuthatch, hairy woodpecker, orchard oriole, black and white warbler, and yellow-breasted chat, a properly designed birdhouse is key. Consider these features:

• Hole size suitable for target species
• Ventilation and drainage holes
• Removable roof or side for annual cleaning
• Rough interior walls for easier gripping
• Natural, untreated wood construction

With the right birdhouse accommodations, you’ll entice fascinating cavity-nesters to make your yard their home.

Birdhouse Location

When choosing a birdhouse location, consider their needs. Face the entrance away from prevailing winds and in the direction of the morning sun for warmth. Place near shrubs or trees for cover but with a clear flight path. Hang or mount the birdhouse 5-20 feet high. Consult this table for species-specific preferences:

Species	Height	Facing	Nearby
Bluebirds	5-10 ft	Open areas	Trees/shrubs
Wrens	5-10 ft	Semi-shaded	Dense plants
Chickadees	6-15 ft	Wooded areas	Trees

Proper placement attracts nesting birds and aids conservation efforts.

Birdhouse Dimensions

Once you’ve chosen the perfect location, provide appropriate dimensions for your feathered guests.

Different species prefer specific hole sizes, depths, and box volumes – all customized to their nesting needs.

Some key factors: use untreated wood, include ventilation and drainage holes, and face the entrance away from prevailing winds.

Monitoring your birdhouse throughout nesting season guarantees a successful brood for your garden’s avian tenants.

Landscaping for Birds

To create an inviting habitat for backyard birds, plant a variety of native plants that offer food sources like seeds, berries, and nectar, as well as shelter and nesting sites. Steer clear of pesticides and insecticides, which can harm birds directly or disrupt the insects they feed on; instead, embrace an eco-friendly approach to gardening that nurtures the local ecosystem.

Native Plants

Planting native species provides natural food and shelter for birds, increasing biodiversity in your yard. Choose butterfly milkweed, cat-tail gayfeather, great blue lobelia, and wild bergamot to attract insects that feed birds like the wood stork. Native plants offer nesting materials and sites too, creating an inviting habitat for feathered friends.

Avoiding Pesticides

You don’t want pesticides harming the very birds you’re trying to attract. Avoid these toxic chemicals, and instead:

• Employ natural pest control methods
• Practice organic gardening principles
• Maintain ecosystem balance
• Safeguard native species like sandhill cranes, western meadowlarks, and dark-eyed juncos
• Protect birds of prey like red-tailed hawks and northern goshawks

A pesticide-free yard is a haven for Nebraska’s diverse avian life.

Flowers for Hummingbirds

Want to attract hummingbirds? Plant native wildflowers with tubular, orange or red blooms. They love nectar-rich flowers and will flock to your garden. For a hummingbird nectar recipe, mix 1 part sugar with 6 parts water. Place bright red or orange feeders near flowers in partial shade.

Flower	Color	Bloom Time
Bee Balm	Red	Summer
Cardinal Flower	Red	Late Summer
Trumpet Vine	Orange	Summer
Jewelweed	Orange	Summer

Nebraska’s Bird Species

Nebraska’s abundant bird life offers a diverse array for backyard birdwatchers and enthusiasts to observe and attract. Year-round residents like the American Robin, Northern Cardinal, and Black-capped Chickadee share the landscape with summer visitors such as the Orchard Oriole, Eastern Kingbird, and Barn Swallow, while winter brings an influx of Dark-eyed Juncos, White-crowned Sparrows, and the majestic Bald Eagle.

Year-Round Residents

In Nebraska, year-round visitors include the American Robin, Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal, and Mourning Dove. Common backyard birds like these thrive with well-placed bird feeders such as platform feeders for cardinals and tube feeders for smaller species like chickadees. Use Audubon’s native plant database to select bird-friendly native plants for shelter and food (Source).

Summer Visitors

In summer, you’ll delight in glimpsing vibrant arrivals like the black and white warbler, orchard oriole, and cliff swallow. Listen for their cheerful bird songs and witness nesting habits. Marvel at the aerial acrobatics of broad-winged and ferruginous hawks, soaring on thermals. Help preserve Nebraska’s avian diversity through conservation efforts.

Winter Visitors

As winter arrives, you’ll encounter a new cast of feathered visitors seeking refuge in your backyard sanctuary.

Stock up on high-energy suet and seed to attract snowbird species like the Dark-eyed Junco, White-breasted Nuthatch, and magnificent Great Blue Heron.

Insulate birdhouses and provide heated bird baths for maximum winter birdwatching.

Consult Audubon’s native plant database to fortify your landscape for migrating flocks.

Birds of Prey

Speaking of raptors, you’ll spot hawks, falcons, and eagles soaring overhead in Nebraska. Marvel at their keen eyesight and aerodynamic mastery as they scan prairies for prey. Get involved in migration monitoring and habitat restoration for these incredible birds of prey. With some raptor know-how, you might even glimpse a rare ferruginous hawk!

Water Birds

If you’re fortunate enough to have a pond or wetland near your Nebraska backyard, you might spot fascinating water birds like the American Coot, Common Loon, or even the majestic Wood Stork.

Some water birds, such as the Black-bellied Whistling-duck, are recent arrivals.

Others like the Roseate Spoonbill are endangered species needing protection.

Preserving wetland habitats and supporting conservation efforts can help guarantee these remarkable water birds flourish for generations to come.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)