Why I Don’t Use Bird Feeders — And What I Do Instead to Attract and Support Birds

One of the simplest and most essential ways to help birds, animals, and insects

You don’t need bird feeders to support wildlife—in fact, there’s a simpler way to make a real impact. For over a decade, I’ve been creating a safe, thriving space for birds, mammals, and pollinators—no mess, no fuss, no conflict—just one essential thing they all need. Thank you for adding a ❤️ or comment below!

House finch enjoying a drink and a bath

For over 13 years, I’ve been focused on making our property a safe and welcoming space for wildlife. While I continue to expand the number of native plants we grow to support pollinators (see more articles in this series), this sanctuary isn’t just for the bees, bugs, and butterflies—it’s for everyone: squirrels, raccoons, deer, bats, opossums, skunks, and birds.

Every day, I see or hear around 25 different bird species—likely more I haven’t yet identified. From towhees and titmice to woodpeckers and sparrows, the diversity is remarkable. And none of them are here because I feed them. They’re here because I provide three essential things: water, habitat, and shelter.

Today, I’m focusing on the first—and one of the most vital—ways I support wildlife: water. But before I get into how I attract and care for birds (and other animals) this way, let me start with what I don’t do: I don’t feed the birds.

Bird Feeders

Years ago, at our previous home, I put up several bird feeders because I wanted to support and attract birds—but it wound up being more stressful than supportive. Like anyone who’s had feeders, I was constantly trying to deter the squirrels and the larger birds, like scrub and Steller’s jays. I also saw how the feeders created competition, not just between species, but among the birds themselves—causing tension and territorial disputes.

Even when I set out peanuts specifically for the squirrels and jays, they still went after the seeds meant for the birds, performing acrobatic feats to break into the feeders. It became a daily circus trying to keep everyone happy.

Opportunistic squirrel

And because concentrated feeding areas make it easy for diseases like avian flu and salmonellosis to spread, I also constantly worried about keeping the feeders clean and never felt like I was doing enough to do so. Then there was the environmental impact—commercial birdseed is often packaged in plastic and shipped long distances, contributing to waste and unnecessary emissions.

Still determined to support birds, I put up those same feeders when we moved into this house—Little Montali—13 years ago. But before long, the same issues resurfaced, and I eventually gave up and passed the feeders along through Buy Nothing.

NOTE: While I don’t use bird feeders myself here in California, I recognize that in colder climates—especially during harsh winters—feeders may be helpful. When natural food sources are scarce, supplemental feeding can support birds through difficult months. If you do choose to put out feeders, it’s essential to keep them clean, space them out to minimize crowding, and regularly check for moldy or spoiled seed to prevent disease.

Of course, I still wanted to attract and support birds and other animals—but without conflict, harm, expense, or packaging. That’s when I realized I was already doing just that: by providing water.

Water for Wildlife

When we moved, we brought along the water fountain we already had—a beautiful, heavy, multi-tiered piece that recirculates water through three levels. We already knew the birds loved it, and the squirrels did too, so of course we took it with us to our new home.

Red fox squirrel enjoying a drink

Today, we have seven fountains of varying sizes and shapes placed throughout our property.

Water is essential—whether or not you live in a drought-prone state like I do—especially in dry climates and during the hot summer months. I’ve made water a cornerstone of my wildlife-friendly garden, and clearly, it works.

The fountains, bird baths, shallow trays, and large tubs attract a wide variety of animals—from busy bees and hummingbirds to jays, squirrels, and skunks. One of the larger tubs, which I keep full and fresh in a quiet corner of the garden, is especially popular with the deer and their fawns. We’ve come to call it “the watering hole,” because that’s exactly what it is. And at night, my trail cameras often capture a family of raccoons making their rounds—splashing, drinking, and stirring up all kinds of mischief.

Each type of water source serves a slightly different purpose:

• the seven recirculating fountains offer movement and sound

• the bird baths on pedestals provide safety and visibility

• and the shallow ceramic trays on the ground allow easy access for insects, ground-feeding birds, and mammals alike.

Six of my seven fountains of various sizes and shapes — used by all the critters!

Together, they provide consistent, clean, and accessible water for wildlife throughout the day and across the seasons. If you're thinking of adding water to your garden or yard, here are a few tips I’ve picked up over the years:

Water Fountain and Bird Bath Tips

• Bird baths (and fountains) are best placed in the sun—birds prefer warm water and aren’t looking for a cold plunge!

• Water trays and bird baths should be only partially filled—birds want to wade, not swim.

• Large stones inside fountains are essential—they give young birds and insects a safe place to land or latch onto. I learned this the hard way after an unfortunate experience where a young bird drowned in our fountain. It happened only once and 20 years ago. Once I added large stones, it never happened again.

• Birds need something nearby to hop on and off from—placing baths near a tree or shrub gives them a sense of safety. I’ve also added a couple of tomato cages next to the taller fountains, and the birds use them all the time for this purpose.

One more thing to mention—though it’s never been an issue for me—is cats. While my cat Michiko (and my beloved late cat Charlie) never went after birds, it’s something worth keeping in mind when creating a safe space for wildlife. If you're intentionally attracting birds to your yard, it's important to consider how to keep cats away from those areas—for the safety of the birds and the peaceful habitat you're trying to create.

Fountain Maintenance

Keeping fountains functional and clean is key to making them safe and inviting for wildlife. A good-quality pump is essential—cheaper ones may clog easily or burn out quickly. Even the best pumps may need to be replaced every couple of years depending on use. To prolong the life of your pump:

• Clean out leaves and debris regularly

• Rinse or scrub buildup around the intake

• Place the fountain on a timer so it turns off at night (no need to run continuously). (If your fountains are off overnight, you might wonder whether mosquito larvae could become a problem. In general, as long as the water is moving during the warmer daylight hours, it’s unlikely that larvae will have enough time to hatch and mature. We’ven never had a problem.)

Of course, providing water for our co-habitants is a huge help to them—but the pleasure I get from watching them drink and bathe makes it clear this is a mutually beneficial experience. Since the birds are here every day and I’ve set up sitting areas nearby, it’s also the perfect opportunity to observe and identify them using my Merlin app.

Here is a list of the bird species I see (and hear) every day.

• House Finch

• Lesser Goldfinch

• Spotted Towhee

• California Towhee

  

• Oak Titmouse

• Bushtit

• Bewick’s Wren

• Song Sparrow

• Mourning Dove

• Anna’s Hummingbird

• Hermit Thrush

• Scrub Jay

• Stellar’s Jay

• American Crow

• Common Raven

• Nuttall’s Woodpecker

• Downy Woodpecker

• Black Phoebe

• Dark-eyed Junco

• Chestnut-backed Chickadee

• American Robin

• Red-tailed Hawk

• Red-shouldered Hawk

• Turkey Vulture

And then there are those just passing through—like the Ruby-crowned Kinglet and the Townsend’s Warbler—reminding me that this space isn’t just a home for our resident wildlife, but a resting spot for migrants along the way.

The joy that brings me is immeasurable.

Having clean, accessible water available year-round—especially during drought-prone seasons—may be the single most beneficial thing we can do for backyard wildlife. And in return, we’re gifted with their presence, their songs, and the quiet joy of sharing our space with them.

Read more articles in the backyard rewilding series.

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