Attracting birds to your community

There are so many different places around Arizona that you can go birdwatching but did you know there are different ways you can humanely attract various birds to your home? Cathy Wise from the Rio Salado Audubon Center met with us to discuss some of the ways to attract birds to your community and also how to birdwatch.

We started by asking Wise about what it’s like bird watching in Arizona.

“We have over 550 different birds that either nest in our state or they winter here, or they migrate through,” Wise said. “So regardless of the season, there is always something to see. ”

Wise explained that the reason that Arizona has so many different kinds of birds is that there are so many different habitats that bring in their own types of birds.

We then asked Wise what kinds of tools might be best for those looking to start bird watching.

“I like to encourage people that are just starting to look at birds, to keep it very simple,” Wise said. “Remember that we can also use our ears.”

Listening for the various different sounds that birds make can help lead bird watchers to them.

“If you do bring binoculars you need to make sure you know how to use them,” Wise said.

She also recommended that for those going to particular areas for bird watching, it can be helpful to do some research before heading out. This will give you a head start on what birds you might be looking for.

We then asked her what different humane ways one can attract birds to their homes.

Wise explained that leaving out water in a birdbath that is shallow and out of the reach of cats, will help attract birds to your home.

Finally, we asked Wise what the Downtown Owl Program is.

The Downtown Owls focuses on the burrowing owl. This owl is very different than others since it comes out during the day and it lives underground. Downtown Owl Program works to help protect the owls.