There are three key elements that native birds need if they are to visit or nest in your garden: water, food and shelter.

A shallow dish of water located in a high, safe place will provide birds with a permanent drinking and bathing place.

Cats are a threat to birds in urban areas, so providing shrubs with dense leaves or prickles can offer birds much needed shelter and safe nesting sites.

Finally, by providing a wide range of indigenous plants that give nectar, seeds, berries, shelter and safe perches, you can attract a wide range of native birds to you garden.

If you are wondering exactly which plants will see birds flock to your backyard, here is a list of trees, grasses, wildflowers, large and small shrubs, and groundcovers which should do the job:

Trees:

• Blackwood
• Black Sheoke
• Yellow Gum
• Yellow Box
• River Bottlebrush

Grasses:

• Wallaby Grass
• Spear Grass
• Flax Lily
• Mat Rush
• Tussock Grass
• Kangaroo Grass

Wildflowers:

• Chocolate Lily
• Everlasting
• Yellow Bulbine Lily
• Yellow Rush Lily
• Tufted Bluebell

Large shrubs:

• Silver Banksia
• Sweet Bursaria
• Burgan
• Snowy Daisy Bush
• Golden Spray

Small shrubs:

• Gold-dust Wattle
• Hedge Wattle
• Rock Correa
• Hop Goodenia
• Tree Violet
• Sticky Boobialla

Groundcovers:

• Berry Saltbush
• Nodding Saltbush
• Ruby Saltbush
• Running Postman

For more information:

• the Victorian Indigenous Nursery Co-operative (www.vinc.net.au) can provide plants and information
• nest boxes can be purchased from Keelbundoora Nursery (La Trobe University)
• websites such as Sustainable Gardening Australia (www.sga.org.au) and Flora for Fauna (www.floraforfauna.com.au) offer useful tips and ideas on wildlife-attracting plants.