Bird & Wildlife

Decorative Bird Houses, Feeders and More

Bring Nature to Your Yard With Bird Feeders

Adding a bird feeder or decorative bird house can benefit your garden in many ways. Bird feeders attract species that can control the number of pests in your space. Also, birds love eating weed seeds, which can keep your garden free of invading plants.

At Lowe’s, we carry bird houses and feeders in various styles, patterns and colors. It’s important to know your garden ecosystem so that you can find the right feeders and houses for your space.

Common Bird Feeder and Bird Feed Types

Bird feeders come in different sizes and styles, from familiar wooden bird houses to metal and plastic designs. They can match any theme as they attract colorful birds to liven up your garden.

At Lowe’s, we have hanging bird feeders and squirrel-resistant bird feeders to provide for our feathered friends without other wildlife bothering their food supply. You can also mount window bird feeders to bring birds close to your home.

Do you want orioles or bluebirds? Martins or cardinals? It’s important to understand the species of birds you wish to attract because their diets vary. Also, make sure the feeder you choose is easy to clean and assemble, and that it’ll keep seeds dry. You can find do-it-yourself ideas for bird house plans by reading our article called How to Build a DIY Bird Feeder on Lowes.com.

Sunflower seeds — shelled or unshelled — are an ideal kind of bird seed for attracting various species of birds. If you choose shelled seeds, be aware that they can be messy. With unshelled seeds, take care not to expose them to moisture for long, as they can harbor harmful bacteria.

Other types of bird and wildlife food include suet, cracked and uncracked corn, peanuts and safflower seeds. But these foods can attract other wildlife, as well. Be sure you have a squirrel-resistant feeder that hangs out of easy reach, suction mounts to a high window or sits on a bird feeder pole.

Hummingbird Feeders and Nectar 

Hummingbird feeders that hold nectar come in a variety of colors and floral designs. Though it’s not necessary for the hummingbird feeders to have a perch, you can include one. A perch on a hummingbird house is usually 4 to 6 inches wide. If you want to observe hummingbirds on a perched feeder, consider a larger perch.

Hummingbird nectar, like the feeders, comes in an array of colors. The most popular is red. Hummingbirds seem to like the bright pigment, but it’s not a requirement for hummingbird nectar to be a particular color. You can make the nectar at home with sugar and water. Just be sure to change it out frequently to avoid mold or bacteria growth. We also carry a selection of pre-mixed nectar and packets at Lowe’s.

Bird and Bee Havens

Bird houses provide a safe space for birds. Some people call them nesting boxes. Wooden bird houses are popular and come in a variety of mounting styles, including window mount, post mount and hanging.

Some bird houses have a basic design, with room inside and a small perch and hole on the outside. Other bird houses for sale can be more complex, with various chambers and fun styling. Bird houses come in many sizes to accommodate various species of birds.

You can finish decorating your backyard space with one or more of the bird baths for sale at Lowe’s. They come in a variety of materials, such as concrete, metal, ceramic and stone for lasting beauty.

Bee houses — often called bee condominiums — can offer bee species, such as mason and leafcutter bees, a space in your garden ecosystem. They can also help your garden grows by promoting more pollination. But keep in mind that pests like wasps tend to sneak into bee houses if you don’t maintain the houses properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do you attract birds to a bird house?

Numerous factors affect whether a bird house succeeds in attracting birds. Two of the most important are design and distance from the ground. The most common backyard birds like small, single-room houses of wood. Also, they like houses 5 to 10 feet from the ground. In addition, it’s good to make sure the house is weather-resistant and that the entry hole is the right size: 1-3/8 inches to 2 inches.  

• What's the best location for a bird house?

Bird lovers commonly mount bird houses on poles or tree trunks or hang them from planter hangers. Each option has pros and cons. Poles provide protection from predators like snakes and squirrels. Hanging a bird house from a planter hanger helps to keep squirrels at bay, but it can leave the house susceptible to high winds. A tree mount offers stability but can leave the house more accessible to predators. 

• Should a bird bath be in sun or shade?

If you live in an area of the United States where the weather is cool to mild most of the year — like the Northwest or New England — place your bird bath in the sun. The warm rays will help keep the water from being too chilly for the birds to enjoy. If you live in the South, place your bird bath in the shade to keep the water from getting too hot and to avoid quick evaporation. In either situation, try to keep your bath away from trees with leaves and branches that could fall into the water.