Garden Decor | Bird Related Garden Decorations
73The most important thing in my life is family. More nights have been spent outside in the garden listening to music, playing cards, and drinking sweet tea than I can count. Having a beautiful place to share special times with your family is important. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of sitting in many a garden and I've found that some of my favorites have always included the many types of birds that live there. In this article I'm going to share with you some of my favorite bird related garden decorations, some things to keep in mind while shopping for them, and why I believe they make a garden that much more special.
Garden Decor: Birdfeeders
They've been in gardens since the beginning of time; ok maybe not that long. I'm talking about bird feeders. Birdfeeders come in a variety of styles and can add a lot of character (and birds) to your garden. There are also several types of birdfeeders available so it's important to know what types of birds are in your area before deciding on a certain type of birdfeeder.
Some of the most popular bird feeders around are wood hopper, tube, thistle, suet, and hummingbird feeders. The wood hopper is obviously made of wood which makes it more durable and lasts for many years. It's also quite easy to fill so your little birdies are guaranteed to never go hungry because you are wrestling with the birdfeeder. The tube feeders are generally either plastic or glass cylinders with several holes and perches for feeding birds. These hold quite a bit of seed at one time so you can go longer without having to fill them up again. The next type of birdfeeder is called the thistle feeder. This birdfeeder is primarily designed for little finches. If you have finches in your area I recommend this type of feeder. Not only are finches great to watch, this feeder will probably not be attacked by squirrels as much because squirrels don't like the thistle. Another popular type is the suet feeder. This feeder is one of my favorites because it allows you to attract larger birds to your yard like woodpeckers. Some people find these guys troublesome and noisy, but I rather enjoy having them in my garden. The final feeder I will mention here is the hummingbird feeder. Using this kind of feeder is an excellent way to attract hummingbirds to your yard. You can also find recipes for making your own liquid nectar and cut down costs of buying the store bought nectar.
Prices vary depending on where you purchase your birdfeeder, but generally the smaller feeders can be as cheap as a few dollars while the larger more detailed ones can cost as much as a couple hundred dollars.
Garden Decor: Birdhouses
Now that you have all these birds in your yard another great way to spice up your home garden decor is to add a birdhouse or 4. As with the bird feeders, be sure to know what type of birds are in your area or you will end up with a beautiful empty birdhouse because different types of birds like different types of homes. If you buy a metal birdhouse, be sure to place it in the shade as they get too hot for any bird to live in if they are in the sun. Also make sure that there are holes in the top for ventilation and a few holes on the bottom for drainage. Don’t limit yourself to putting them just in the trees, houses can also be staked on a pole in your yard or mounted to trees. I’m always searching for new unique looking birdhouses to add to my garden decoration collection.
Although making your own bird house is always the cheapest route, if you are like me with a hammer, you may want to buy yours instead. Most of the smaller houses are usually under 20.00 and the grander versions can be as expensive as a few hundred dollars.
Garden Decor: Birdbaths
Even birds need a bath from time to time, so adding a birdbath to your lawn garden decor is an excellent way to add hours of entertainment. Our little feathered friends can sometimes be quite hilarious while showering. Bird baths come in a wide variety of materials such as concrete, ceramic, clay, and stone. If you live where it gets super cold in the winter, consider getting a heated bird bath so you can enjoy your birds year round. With all the different types I'm sure you can find one that will fit in perfectly with your garden, whether it's a pedestal, hanging, or mounted birdbath. I’m partial to the pedestal type, but I've also seen some very nice hanging ones over the years too.
Depending on the size and materials used to make your birdbath decent looking baths start at around 50.00 and can go up to about 1500.00 for elaborately detailed baths.
So, as I end this and head out to my garden for the evening with family and friends I want to wish you luck in your future home and garden decor ventures. Hopefully after reading this you will some great ideas for your outdoor garden decor. Now you can make it just as special for your feathered friends as it is for you with a little bit of planning and mindful shopping.
What are your favorite things in your garden or favorite things to see in a flower garden? I'd love to hear! :) Leave your comments below.
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Comments
Hi Stephanie, Yes, having birds in the garden is great in so many ways. I love all types of these flying beauties. Thanks for the nice article. Happy Gardening, Marty











Sufidreamer says:
3 months ago
Wonderful Hub - I love birds, so it is nice to make the garden friendly for them. We always put out bird baths in the hot summer and feeders in the cold winter.
It is always nice to wake up to the sound of birdsong, and we even have nightingales in the olive groves this year, which is awesome :)