Written by Matthew Hildebrandt of Cat Topia.
Why Bird-Friendly Backyards Matter This Spring
Spring is one of the most critical seasons in a bird’s life cycle. As temperatures rise, millions of birds migrate north to their breeding grounds, seeking food, shelter, and safe nesting sites along the way. For many species, backyards in urban and suburban neighborhoods aren’t just flyover zones — they’re essential rest stops or even permanent habitats. That’s why what homeowners choose to plant, build, and illuminate can make a huge difference.
While feeders and birdbaths get a lot of attention, it’s just as important to consider hidden hazards. Two of the most overlooked threats to birds are free-roaming domestic cats and artificial nighttime lighting. Outdoor cats are responsible for the deaths of an estimated 2.4 billion birds each year in the U.S. alone, and bright lights can disorient migratory birds, which significantly impacts birds, particularly during migration. By creating a bird-friendly backyard this spring, homeowners can help turn their outdoor space into a safe, thriving refuge — where nature can flourish, and pets can still enjoy the view.
Choose the Right Plants: Native Flora That Attract and Support Birds
One of the most effective ways to support birds in your backyard is by planting native vegetation. Unlike ornamental or non-native species, native plants have evolved alongside local bird populations — providing essential food sources like seeds, berries, and nectar, as well as materials for nesting and natural shelter from predators and harsh weather.
Here are a few excellent native plant options for the Chicagoland area:
Trees
White Oak (Quercus alba): Hosts hundreds of native insect species and produces acorns that feed jays and woodpeckers.
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis): Produces small fruits that attract cedar waxwings, robins, and thrushes.
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis): Offers spring flowers for pollinators and later, seed pods for birds.
Shrubs
Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa): Provides berries that attract cardinals, catbirds, and bluebirds.
American Hazelnut (Corylus americana): Great for dense shelter and supports insect-eating birds.
Smooth Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis): A native Illinois shrub that produces early spring berries, attracting orioles, thrushes, and robins while also offering cover for nesting birds.
Perennials & Ground Cover
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): Seeds feed finches, while flowers attract pollinators.
Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis): A spring-blooming favorite for hummingbirds.
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium): A native grass that provides seeds and nesting cover.
Water Features That Birds Love
While food and shelter are essential, water is just as important for creating a truly bird-friendly backyard — especially during the warmer months. Birds need water not only for drinking but also for bathing, which helps them keep their feathers clean and functional for flight and insulation.
Installing a simple bird bath, shallow pond, or small fountain can dramatically increase the number of bird species that visit your yard. To make your water feature truly bird-friendly, aim for a shallow basin (no more than 2 inches deep) and choose materials that are easy to clean, like ceramic or concrete.
To maintain a safe and healthy water source:
Clean bird baths every few days using a scrub brush and mild solution of water and vinegar.
Refill with fresh water regularly, especially during dry spells.
To prevent mosquito breeding, empty standing water every few days or use a small solar-powered fountain to keep it circulating.
Adding movement to your water feature — through drippers, bubblers, or misters — not only helps deter mosquitoes but also makes the water more noticeable to birds from a distance. The sound and sparkle of moving water can attract species that might otherwise pass by unnoticed.
Bird Feeder: Supplemental Support Done Right
While native plants and water sources lay the foundation for a bird-friendly yard, feeders offer valuable supplemental support, especially during migration.
To get the most out of your feeders:
Place feeders in safe zones, ideally within 3 feet of a window (to reduce impact velocity) or more than 30 feet away to minimize collision risks.
Choose shaded or partially shaded areas to keep seed fresh and feeding birds comfortable.
Use bird-safe feeder designs that minimize overcrowding, protect food from weather, and are easy to clean.
Deter squirrels and nuisance animals with baffles, weight-sensitive feeders, or pole-mounted systems with squirrel guards.
Lights Out: Protecting Birds From Artificial Light Hazards
Each spring and fall, millions of birds pass through Chicago during their long migratory journeys, many traveling under the cover of night. While the city’s skyline and neighborhood lights may seem beautiful to us, to nocturnal migrators, they pose a serious threat. Bright artificial lighting can disorient birds, pulling them off course, exhausting them, and increasing the risk of collisions with buildings and windows. It can also disrupt their internal rhythms and delay arrival to vital breeding grounds.
To combat this, “Lights Out Chicago” was launched to encourage residents, building owners, and businesses to reduce nighttime lighting during peak migration seasons.
You can support this effort right from your own backyard. Consider adopting these bird-friendly lighting practices:
Use warm-colored LEDs (under 3000K) that are less likely to attract or confuse birds.
Install timers to reduce prolonged nighttime illumination.
Add shields or choose downward-facing fixtures to limit light spill into the sky and surrounding trees where birds may rest.
Turn off unnecessary outdoor lighting, especially during peak migration months (March–June and August–November).
By making a few thoughtful changes to how and when we light up our homes and yards, we can help ensure that migratory birds pass through Chicago safely — guided by the stars, not by our floodlights.
Catios: A Safe Compromise for Cat Lovers and Bird Advocates
For many cat owners, the sight of their feline friend gazing longingly out the window is all too familiar. Cats are naturally curious and love the outdoors — the sun, the fresh air, and especially the movement of birds and other wildlife. But letting cats roam freely comes with serious risks, not just for the birds they may hunt, but for the cats themselves.
Enter the catio: a fully or partially enclosed outdoor structure that allows cats to enjoy the outside world safely, without posing a threat to local wildlife.
With the right design, catios can:
Eliminate predation risk, keeping birds, small mammals, and pollinators safe from hunting behavior.
Reduce exposure to injury and disease, protecting cats from traffic, parasites, and other outdoor hazards.
Provide enriching stimulation, letting cats watch birds, bugs, and breezes from a secure and contained space.
Support peaceful coexistence between pets and wildlife — an achievable goal for any animal-loving household.
No matter the size or layout of your outdoor space, whether it’s a small patio, urban balcony, or spacious backyard, there are many ways to create a space that keeps your cat safely contained while respecting the needs of local wildlife. Custom catios offer a flexible solution, allowing pet owners to design an enclosure that fits their home’s style, supports their cat’s curiosity, and minimizes environmental impact.
Every Backyard Can Make a Difference
When it comes to protecting birds, the impact of even the smallest outdoor space shouldn't be underestimated. From planting native species to reducing light pollution and rethinking how our pets interact with the environment, each intentional choice adds up, especially when adopted across a community.
Creating a bird-friendly backyard isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. With thoughtful planting, clean water, safe feeders, and enclosed spaces like catios, we can build vibrant, life-supporting habitats that benefit both wildlife and the animals we love.
Every garden, balcony, and backyard has the power to become a sanctuary. Let yours be part of the change.