By Angela Rafi

It is easy to have a variety of birds in your gardens. Plant the right flower plants, fruit trees, shrubs and shady trees and the birds will come invited or not!

When I first started to try and entice the birds into my garden, I tried the European method of a bird table and bird feeders. I quickly found out that these brought vermin, pests and the local stray cats as well!

I then took the step of planting a hedge of hibiscus and pots of bougainvilleas which successfully attracted the Sunbirds, Tailor birds and a variety of colorful butterflies. Bottle-brush flower plants, Ixora species, Torch ginger and powder puff trees also attract Sunbirds and Spiderhunters. Generally flowers do attract most of the Nectarinae birds.

If you have space, it is also a good idea to plant papaya, banana or other fruit trees. These will attract fruit eating birds like Bulbuls, Starlings, Doves and Copper Smith Barbets that will queue up for a gourmet snack!

Orioles will look for caterpillars, while other insect lovers like Flycatchers may also venture into your garden. You might also consider other plants like Erythriana crisca-gali, Pongamia pinnata (Mempari), Mimoscops elangi and so on.

Various palm trees like MacArthur palms will catch the attention of Barbets and Hornbills. When I lived in Terengganu, I once had Oriental Pied Hornbills frequenting my garden when the palms were fruiting. Taller bushes and trees will also bring the birds giving them cover so they feel safe in your garden.

If you are a little more adventurous, why not add a garden pond with fishes or a small fountain. Birds will come in droves to have a bath especially on a hot humid day. The pond will also attract colourful Kingfishers.

With all these features there is a high probability of birds building nests and making a home for their fledglings. What a great way for your family to be introduced to bird watching. Children can observe fledglings learning to fly and both parents taking turns to feed the chicks.

Birds are generally shy and wary of movements but creating a right atmosphere will give you hours of pleasure just watching their behavior.

Angela Rafi and her husband Mohd Rafi are avid birdwatchers and enthusiastic members of the Selangor branch of the Malaysian Nature Society birdwatching group.