Syovata Ndambuki

Bird watching has been a popular activity in many countries for decades. In fact, at some point in history bird counting and watching was a popular sport, covered in sports news just like golf, football or rugby. 

Staring at birds in their natural environment, going about their daily life is quite therapeutic and relaxing. Birds are naturally beautiful with their colourful feathers, and melodious sounds. But their mannerisms are even more intriguing-from the way they sun bask to how they interact with each other, feed their young ones or raise alarm when there is an intruder around. And when they decide to sing for you early in the morning, your life can turn out to be a bit more colourful and enjoyable. In addition to these therapeutic benefits, birds also play an important role in pollination of flowers. They also clear bugs and unwanted insects from gardens, meaning they could be great helpers if you plan to start a kitchen garden or grow flowers in your home. But how do you get more birds to hang around your home?  

What they need

Well, birds only need two things; a safe place to build their nests and a rich food supply. Normally, birds build their nests on trees, except in urban set-ups where there are no trees- they get creative by building inside ventilation holes. Normally, the types of trees birds choose for their nesting have enough shade to protect them from rainfall and hot sunlight. The trees also need to be dense and tall enough to keep predators from their eggs. Although the availability of tree species depends on the exact region, birds will often go for trees that don’t shed all their leaves during the dryer seasons. Evergreen, dense trees are often the perfect choice.  

But perhaps you don’t have this kind of tree in your home or maybe you live in a rented space where you can’t plant trees, are there ways to still attract birds? 

Of course, there is one more option- feeding them. If you can supply birds with their favourite foods, then they will be a common guest in your home. You can use a simple bird feeder to attract these tiny flying friends and there are multiple designs that can hold different types of foods- from small rice grains to maize flour and anything else a bird eats. Let’s explore some interesting feeder designs below.  

Re-use random items in your house 

Coconut shells, all old glass bottle, plastic bowls, trays- you can get creative with anything. Simple designs made from re-used items are cost effective as it makes use of things that are normally thrown away. Plus you get to create a design that works for your space, including apartment balconies.

Get creative with net and stockings 

Got an old net you are not using. Or perhaps your favourite stocking started running and you can’t wear it anymore. These fabrics are great for holding flour and they do not need any expertise to set up. Simply cut the fabric into reasonable pieces. Tie one end and pour your flour inside, then tie the other end. You may then hang it on a tree or a balcony railing. The beauty of this set-up is that birds can easily dig their claws into the net or stocking for support as they feed on what’s inside. Isn’t it a unique sight? 

Build a cute wooden feeder 

If you want something more reliable and durable, how about a well-thought-out wooden feeder? You will not need as much wood given the petite nature of most birds. Get a carpenter to help you think through the design and calculate the cost of the materials. But before you start designing, think about where you will place the feeder. Is it on a tree, a raised surface or on the ground? There are multiple designs to choose from and if you are looking for inspiration, Pinterest is a great starting point. 

Repurpose your chicken feeder 

Have you been a poultry farmer before? Chicken feeders are a great option for birds. But due to their small sizes, birds may not have the courage to share meals with chicken. If you often feed chicken in your compound, you will notice that birds come around when the chicken has had enough and gone to rest or before they wake up. You may repurpose the feeder you use for your chicken but place it in a different, secure spot for the birds. You may also spice things up by adding a clean glass bottle to dispense the food in tiny bits.