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Making space for nature: How to create a bird-friendly garden

JuN 22, 2020  |  Written by Zoë Chapman Poulsen. Photos by Ernest Porter, Adrian Hunter & Zoë Chapman Poulsen.

Living in a concrete jungle

Above: Common Waxbill. Photo: Adrian Hunter.

As we strive to house and feed a growing population, our worlds are becoming ever more built up. More people are becoming city dwellers in the concrete jungle, as urban development and habitat transformation for agriculture squeezes natural habitats for wildlife into ever more confined areas.

People are increasingly becoming more distanced from nature with often little awareness of the urban biodiversity that lives on their doorsteps. As we encroach upon ecosystems, it is important to make space for nature. Whether you live in a small town or a big city, with a tiny yard or a large garden, it is possible to garden to create a habitat for wildlife. No space to garden at home? Why not consider creating a garden in your local area, school or other community space? In this blog we take a closer look at gardening for birds.

Above: Bokmakierie. Photo by Adrian Hunter.

Why create a bird-friendly garden?

Wildlife friendly gardens can be thriving ecosystems, allowing pollinating insects, birds and other wildlife to coexist alongside people. They act as corridors through built up areas allowing wildlife to survive and move through towns and cities. A bird-friendly garden can provide the food, shelter and nesting sites needed for many different bird species to survive and thrive on your doorstep. It will attract many birds you may not otherwise see, providing opportunities for observation, conservation as well as education.

Above: Cape White Eye visiting Aloe flowers. Photo: Ernest Porter.

Southern Africa is home to more than 900 bird species including migratory species, so gardens in different parts of the country will receive different avian visitors. Bird watching in your garden also is a wonderful way of introducing children to nature, especially during this time that we are spending more time at home.

The importance of growing indigenous

Above: Malachite Kingfisher. Photo: Ernest Porter.

The most important factor in creating a bird-friendly garden is planting locally indigenous plants that are adapted to the climate and vegetation of the part of South Africa in which you live. With an indigenous flora of more than 20 000 plant species, comprising more than 10% of the world’s plants, you are certain to find plants to enjoy in your garden that grow well in your area.

Local wildlife are best adapted to live alongside locally indigenous plants, from the smallest insect pollinators to birds and mammals. Gardening with locally indigenous plants saves water too, as many are adapted to survive with minimal or no additional irrigation during dry times of the year.

Plants for a bird-friendly garden

Above: Leonotis leonurus ‘Lions Mane’ in flower at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Photo: Zoë Chapman Poulsen.

Aloes are perhaps one of the most rewarding plants to grow for the bird gardener, with their architectural foliage creating year-round interest and their spectacular flowers providing abundant nectar which will attract visitors such as sunbirds, orioles, bulbuls, weaver birds and many others. During the short days of winter they provide rich and warm colour in the indigenous garden. They come in many different shapes and sizes depending on the amount of space you may have available. Another favourite for nectivorous birds is Leonotis leonurus (Wild Dagga). It has numerous upright stems producing masses of orange or white blooms lasting for several months.

Above: White-Bellied Sunbird. Photo: Adrian Hunter.

If you have a larger space then consider making space for shrubs, a tree or trees in your gardens. Those best for birds offer up flowers and/or berries for food and suitable nesting sites too. When choosing trees and shrubs for your garden, it is important to consider the eventual height and width they will grow, as well as planting with sufficient distance from buildings and walls.

White-fronted Bee-eater. Photo: Adrian Hunter.

An easily cultivated favourite that can be grown across South Africa is Halleria lucida (Tree Fuchsia). Growing 2-5m tall, it has an attractive arching habit, producing a profusion of orange, yellow or white flowers from the trunk or branches that are visited by white eyes and sunbirds. These are followed by small berries which are also popular with frugivorous birds.

Top: Halleria lucida. Above: Tarchonanthus littoralis. Photos: Zoë Chapman Poulsen.

For those gardening on the coast, Tarchonanthus littoralis (Camphor tree) makes an excellent screen and windbreak. Its fluffy seedheads are very popular with birds for nesting material. For bigger gardens the Cape Ash (Ekebergia capensis) provides large pink berries that are much enjoyed by mousebirds, barbets, hornbills, turacos and other species. It is naturally distributed from the Eastern Cape northwards into the Lowveld and Zimbabwe but is successfully cultivated in many other parts of the country too.

Providing water and nesting sites for garden birds

Above: Grey go-away bird. Photo: Adrian Hunter.

Providing water for drinking and bathing is one of the most important things you can do for garden birds, especially in drier parts of the country. The container used can be anything, an old pet bowl, dustbin lid or similar works just as well as a purpose-built bird bath. Ensure that it is positioned in a relatively open area with cover in easy reach and away from predators such as cats.

Above: African Paradise Flycatcher feeding young. Photo: Ernest Porter.

In the longer term, one can consider providing bird boxes for nesting. Spotted eagle owls often make their homes in suburban areas and will consider moving into a suitably sited nest box of sufficient size.

Enjoy your garden

Above: Amethyst Sunbird visiting Aloe blooms. Photo: Ernest Porter.

It is extraordinary the rate at which wildlife discovers and moves into a garden with indigenous plants, from pollinating carpenter bees to nectivorous birds. Make time to spend outside and to document the rich variety of different wildlife that may come and visit. The community biodiversity sharing app iNaturalist is a perfect way to document nature in your outdoor space as your garden grows. It is great for beginners and experts alike. We wish you happy gardening.

Further Reading

Buchart, D. (2017) Garden birds in southern Africa, Struik Nature, South Africa.