Garden for Birds
Here are some simple ways to create a garden that can be a home for local wild birds including plants, water and pest management.
Local plants
Walk around your neighbourhood and get to know the plants growing nearby. You'll likely spot three types:
Indigenous - plants that are native to your local area
Native - Australian plants, but not necessarily local
Introduced - plants from overseas
Focus on Indigenous plants. They’ve evolved alongside local bird species and are the best food and habitat source for them. You can learn more by visiting your local nursery and library.
Tip: use a free app like Google Lens to identify plants with your phone
Local birds
Spend some time getting to know the wild birds that live in your area. Do they prefer hiding or sitting out in the open? Are they high in the trees or closer to the ground? What are they eating?
These are the birds you want to create a garden for. The more you understand them, the better you can create a garden for them.
Choosing plants
Indigenous plants are usually the best choice for local birds. They provide natural food and shelter and often need less watering and care. You probably have an Indigenous nursery nearby that sells affordable plants and can give you advice.
You might choose to mix in some native and introduced plants to add variety to your garden. Think about adding:
Different heights - ground cover, shrubs, trees
Dense, spiky shrubs - little birds like these to hide in
Mulch and leaf litter
Water sources
Water is a great way to attract birds to your garden. You can use a bird bath, ceramic bowl, or even a plastic pot tray. Here is how to create a safe water source for birds:
Use a shallow container
Add a stick or branch as a perch or exit ramp
Place it on the ground or on a stand
Keep it near dense shrubs for quick escape routes
Clean it regularly to prevent algae
Top it up often - birds will return once they know it’s reliable
Avoiding pesticides
Skip the harsh chemicals. Natural pest control options are better for birds, insects, and the health of your whole garden. Birds rely on many of the insects that pesticides can harm, especially when feeding their young.
