Biodiversity in your Backyard (Cont. 7)

Water Birds, Nectar Feeders, Mixed Feeders and Predatory Birds

Water birds

 

Kingfisher

To attract some of the larger water birds you would need a large pond which, in turn, requires a large garden. 

However, the hugely attractive kingfishers are also attracted by small to tiny ponds. 

Even if there is no fish in it they will still perch near it for a while to check it out.

Nectar feeders

Honey Bird

 

Best known in this category are, of course, sunbirds and sugar birds. 

However, they are not the only birds that like nectar. 

Cape white-eyes, for instance, make small holes at the bottom of flowers to get to the nectar. 

Good nectar-producing species are:

• The Coral Tree (Erythrina lysistemon), 

• Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis), 

• Red-Hot Pokers (Kniphofia praecox),

• Proteas, Pincushions and 

• All Aloes. 

Mixed feeders

Sparrows

Many of the birds which are placed in one of the aforementioned categories actually belong to this group. 

For instance:

• Sunbirds eat Insects too, 

• Hornbills eat fruits and the seeds of acacias, 

• Pigeons eat insects, worms and fruits, and 

• Sparrows and Starlings are born opportunists. 

The placement in these categories is not absolute; it rather serves to provide a guideline for gardeners who want to attract a variety of birds to the garden.

 If all of the above-mentioned resources are present, you will obviously also get the mixed feeders. 

Predatory birds 

Spotted Eagle Owl

One group of predatory birds that live in close association with humans is the owls, in particular:

• Barn Owls and 
• Spotted Eagle Owls. 

It is possible to attract owls to your garden by hanging up owl nest boxes. 

Apart from being fascinating creatures, owls are extremely efficient controllers of rats and mice.





The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has published a brochure on how to build owl nest boxes

which is freely available here:     OWL NEST BOXES:

Tomorrow we will conclude This series of articles.

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Article By:  


Dr Ed Stam, Ecologist, NZG