JOIN USBangalore has more than 300 species of birds. Here are some tips by Sarah Thomas to attract some of the winged beauties to your home and garden.
If you are a true-blue Bangalorean, then it is most probable that simple tea-time chit-chats about the city would have got you nostalgic, bringing in flashes of the romantic weather, the greenery around and most importantly the lovely song of the birds in the air.
At one time, there were always birds around, flaunting their colours, chirping as they sat on the branches, enjoying their own little birdie time. After all these years, you can’t help but wonder, where have our feathered friends gone?
To the disappointed lot and the many bird enthusiasts, here is some good news. You can have a variety of birds frequenting your very own garden, if only you keep a few things in mind while designing it.
Just by adding a few bird-friendly elements, you can transform your garden into a bird haven.
Right plantsDr Krishna M B, renowned ornithologist and ecologist, proudly states that Bangalore houses 340 species of birds. “One must understand that only when you have a variety of plants will you get a variety of birds.
There are small ones like the Reed warblers and the taylor birds that are found mostly on shrubs. Koels and barbets on the other hand, like trees.” Plants not only shelter these birds, but also provide them food; hence the garden must fulfil these multiple purposes.
You must create a diversity of habitats, he suggests. “In the corner of the garden, you could have a pile of leaves or stones. Insects tend to dwell in such places and this would catch the attention of the birds. If they are assured of regular food, then you are assured of regular bird visits,” he chuckled. You could provide food in a bird feeder, but the food provided by nature in its own habitat would make the bird feel at home.
Dr S Subramanya, a birder-cum-ornithologist very simply explains that birds largely look for fruits, nectar and insects. Accordingly, we have the frugivorous, the nectarivorous and the insectivorous. Subbu, as he is known in birding circles, has been studying birds for over three-and-a-half decades.
He says, “By growing select plants that can provide fruits, you invite birds like crows, parakeets and koels. Flowering plants that provide abundant nectar like the tubular hibiscus, red powderpuff, bottlebrush and orange trumpet flower attract the hummingbird.”
By growing a lot of shrubbery and allowing a dense layer of leaf-litter to accumulate on the garden floor, you can attract insect-feeding birds.
Artificial nests
Avoid exotic plants as they are not natives and would not provide berries, succulent fruits or nectar. But a few of them can be used as decorative plants. A lawn is of no use too, you’d rather avoid them completely.
Subbu also throws light on the other important aspects that could be used to draw the birds’ attention. He speaks of artificial nest boxes that are scientifically designed to attract birds that essentially nest in holes and cavities. Each of these birds need nest boxes that suit their body and brood size, he elucidates. The size of the entrance hole is quite specific to their body sizes. See to it that the boxes are well-designed.
One important fact all bird lovers must know is that birds like to feel safe and secure, so if you are placing bird houses, be sure to keep them away from human and animal reach.
Bird baths
Adding to the many ways to allure birds, Sriram Aravamudan, Co-founder of My Sunny Balcony, a garden designing company said that bird baths are your best bet. Birds love water and this would come as a relief to them especially in the summer. You could have a fancy bird bath made of stone or porcelain or you could just keep a large bowl of water out there.
“Some people like to watch eagles and kites as well. A little meat would have them swooping down and picking them up.” You could have fishes too, provided your bird bath is large. It is absolutely lovely to watch birds take a dip in it.
Sharing his own experience, he says a mixture of beans, rice, green grams and wheat make the birds flutter with joy. They first pick the grams, especially the pigeons, he adds.
Speaking of pigeons, all the three have the same advice — stop encouraging them as they create a mess and are a nuisance too. But if you like feeding pigeons, then there’s no harm at all, as long as you can deal with the droppings all around.
Remember to keep away from pesticides — they might kill pests but are harmful to other living creatures as well. They could kill the poor birds that come to visit your garden.
If your garden has all that is needed for a bird and you have a keen eye to spot these lovely creatures, then you can easily sight at least 40 varieties of birds throughout the year, says Dr Krishna.