backyard birding bliss

by Kristen West

supporting wild birds and creating a haven for them in your yard

A SYMPHONY OF BIRDS in the backyard can spark joy, wonder and serenity for bird enthusiasts and casual nature admirers. From the quietly discreet hummingbird to the melodic orioles, robins and mourning doves, New Mexico is home to a plethora of bird species. Inviting them to your yard can be a fun experience while also supporting our wildlife friends.

Orchestrating ideal conditions for these birds comes down to clean and safe opportunities for water, nesting and food, says Cathy Fleischacker, co-owner of Wild Birds Unlimited on Albuquerque’s west side.

New Mexico is a naturally dry environment, so providing a water source can make your backyard a bird’s happy place. “Because of where we’re located, keeping fresh water year-round, not just in spring and summer, is so important,” Fleischacker says. During colder months, she recommends placing a heater in the water or draining the water nightly to avoid freezing and damaging the bird bath. Keep the water clean, too, since the birds will use it as a drinking source and bath.

In spring, it can be fun to watch bird families grow. Not everyone needs to provide nesting boxes, but if you’re going to do it, make sure you clean the box before and after the season. Some nesting boxes even come with a small window or a camera that links to an app to view the birds.

To diversify your visitors, offer a variety of food options. Fleischacker encourages using extra fats, proteins and calcium in the spring for the female birds, which will help them produce healthy eggs and babies. “Suets are good because they have lots of fats, and dry mealworms are another good one because as we get into the spring, the bugs aren’t back yet, but the mealworms have a lot of protein in them,” she says.

For hummingbirds, use a pre-packaged option without red dye, or make your own with a ratio of four cups of water to one cup of non-organic white table sugar—while organic might be best for us, its higher iron content can be harmful to the birds.

Native plants like honeysuckle, trumpet vine and sages all appeal to the birds, bees and butterflies while also improving the aesthetics of your garden.

Making your yard a bird’s paradise will naturally draw in predators like hawks, roadrunners and coyotes, too, so Fleischacker says understanding how to keep the birds safe is imperative. Keep the food and nesting boxes up high and caged if possible. “And keep the cats indoors,” she says.

By creating a welcoming space for birds, you’re enhancing your backyard and fostering a vital connection to New Mexico’s natural environment. With the right mix of water, food, shelter and safety, your yard can become a sanctuary where birds—and your appreciation for them—thrive.