Birds are fun to watch and it is wonderful that so many of our native birds have adapted to live in cities in towns. If you live near an area of native bush then wonderful tui, pigeon and bellbirds can live in your backyard.
Birds, native and introduced, need all the help they can get. You can encourage more native and introduced birds into your garden by providing their basic needs.
Food and Water
 We can do a lot to encourage bids in our gardens and to hep them survive. We need to make sure that good water and food is available for birds, somewhere that they neighbourhood cat won't get them.
Birds need water for drinking and washing. A birdbath, a shallow bowl or a pool are all good ways to provide water. All of these must be cleaned out and kept free of rubbish, fallen leaves and the like. Top up with fresh water frequently, especially on hot summer days and in winter when fresh, clean water is scarce.
Shrubs and trees that have berries provide birds with food throughout the season, as well as nesting sites and shelter. Insects are a key element in a bird's diet, with only introduced birds being interested in seeds. (More advice on planting for birds)
Bird tables and Feeders
Most native birds don't take food from bird tables or feeders. There are exceptions; Silvereyes ('Waxeyes' in some parts of the country) will take fat and bread through the winter months. Sugar water (never honey water as this spreads bee diseases) is eaten by nectar-loving birds such as bellbirds.
Bird tables must be safe from cats. Platform styles and hanging feeder must provide cover for small birds but not access for neighbourhood cats, or for rodents after dark.
Nest Sites
 Spring is when the birds get busy and start to build a nest. Some birds will raise more than one family over the summer, fantails rear up to five broods in a single season, each in a new nest.
Providing nest sites is especially important - protection from predators (e.g. cats, opossums, hawks) and the weather. Nests are often concealed in inaccessible places, to protect the young birds.
Trees with lots of twigs provide cover for the parent birds and their fledglings (baby birds). Trees and shrubs with twiggy, thin stems make it difficult for cats, rats and opossums to raid the nest.
If you do see a bird nest, or there are birds in your birdhouse, do leave them alone and watch from afar. Parent birds will desert fledglings if the nest has been disturbed or they feel threatened.
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Near an area of native bush you may see kereru (wood pigeons)
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Silver eyes will take fat from a bird feeder
Large blackbird and tiny fantail nests - after the babies have grown
Bird tables are not meant for cats!!
Birds nest in prickly and inaccesible places
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