Backyard Bird Guide: Attract, Deter, and Care for Yard Birds

Whether you want more birds visiting your feeders or fewer pigeons on your porch, this guide covers practical, species-specific advice for managing the birds in your own backyard.

How to Attract Specific Birds

BirdGuide
GoldfinchesHow to Attract Goldfinches to Your Yard
JuncosHow to Attract Juncos to Your Yard
OriolesHow to Attract Orioles to Your Yard
ChickadeesHow to Attract Chickadees to Your Backyard
CrowsHow to Attract Crows to Your Yard
Mourning DovesHow to Attract Mourning Doves to Your Feeders
Woodpeckers8 Ways to Attract Woodpeckers to Your Backyard
OwlsHow to Attract Owls to Your Yard
Cardinals8 Ways to Attract Cardinals to Your Yard

Bird Deterrence & Yard Care

TopicGuide
Getting rid of pigeons7 Ways to Get Rid of Pigeons from Your House
Getting rid of woodpeckers (property damage)8 Ways to Get Rid of Woodpeckers
Birdbath maintenanceHow to Clean Your Birdbath: A Step-by-Step Guide

FAQs

Why would I want to attract one bird and get rid of another?

Some birds, like woodpeckers, are wonderful to watch at a feeder but can damage siding or trim when they drum on your house. Attraction and deterrence guides often exist for the same species depending on the context — feeder vs. structure.

What’s the single best thing I can do to attract more birds overall?

Consistent food, fresh water, and shelter (native shrubs or trees) matter more than any single feeder type. A clean birdbath is one of the most overlooked ways to draw in birds that wouldn’t otherwise visit a feeder.