Perth’s Mediterranean climate and unique bushland setting make it a haven for some of Australia’s most beautiful native birds. Whether you’re in the suburbs or closer to the bush, transforming your garden into a bird-friendly sanctuary is easier than you might think. This guide will introduce you to the most common garden visitors and show you how to make them feel right at home.
Common Birds You’ll See in Perth Gardens
Rainbow Lorikeet
These vibrant parrots are impossible to miss with their bright red beaks, blue heads, and rainbow-colored plumage. You’ll often see them in noisy flocks, especially during flowering season. They’re nectar feeders and absolutely love native blossoms.
Australian Magpie
The iconic black and white magpie is a year-round resident in Perth gardens. Known for their beautiful caroling song, these intelligent birds are ground feeders that hunt for insects in your lawn. While they can be protective during spring breeding season, they’re generally confident and curious garden companions.
Australian Magpie
Willy Wagtail
This charming little bird with its distinctive fan-shaped tail is constantly on the move, darting around catching insects. Despite their small size, they’re bold and territorial. Watch for their characteristic tail-wagging behavior as they patrol your garden.
Red Wattlebird
Australia’s second-largest honeyeater, the Red Wattlebird has distinctive red wattles hanging from its cheeks. These assertive birds have a harsh, guttural call and will vigorously defend flowering plants in your garden. They’re excellent pollinators of native flowers.
Red Wattlebird
Western Spinebill
This beautiful honeyeater sports a long, curved bill perfect for probing flowers for nectar. Males have distinctive chestnut and white markings with a cinnamon belly. They’re particularly fond of tubular flowers and are wonderful to watch as they hover while feeding.
Twenty-eight Parrot (Australian Ringneck)
Named for their distinctive “twenty-eight” call, these green parrots with yellow collars are common in Perth suburbs. They feed on seeds, nuts, and blossoms and often visit gardens with plenty of native trees.
Grey Butcherbird
These melodious songbirds are a delight to have in your garden. With their beautiful, flute-like calls, they’re often heard before they’re seen. They’re predatory birds that feed on insects, small lizards, and occasionally other small birds.
Singing Honeyeater
A common and adaptable honeyeater with a distinctive yellow-olive face. Their cheerful, musical song is a regular feature of Perth gardens. They feed on nectar, insects, and occasionally fruit.
Creating a Bird-Friendly Garden
Plant Native Vegetation
The single most important thing you can do is plant Western Australian native plants. Birds have evolved alongside these plants and depend on them for food and shelter. Consider these excellent choices:
For Nectar-Feeders:
- Banksia species (especially Banksia menziesii and Banksia attenuata)
- Callistemon (bottlebrush)
- Grevillea species
- Eucalyptus (particularly flowering varieties like Corymbia ficifolia)
- Melaleuca species
For Seed-Eaters:
- Hakea species
- Acacia (wattles)
- Allocasuarina (sheoak)
For Fruit-Eaters:
- Native fuchsia (Eremophila)
- Santalum acuminatum (quandong)
Provide Fresh Water
Perth’s hot, dry summers make water sources essential. Set up a birdbath with fresh water changed daily. Position it in an open area where birds can see approaching predators. Include a few stones or branches in the water so smaller birds have somewhere to perch. A shallow depth of 2-5 cm is ideal.
Consider adding a dripper or small water feature. The sound of moving water is irresistible to birds and will attract species that might otherwise pass by your garden.
Create Layers of Vegetation
Birds occupy different levels in the garden ecosystem. Create a multi-layered habitat with:
- Tall trees for canopy-dwelling species
- Medium-sized shrubs for mid-level nesters
- Low groundcovers for ground-feeding birds
- Dense shrubbery for shelter and nesting
This vertical diversity will attract a wider variety of species and provide safe corridors for movement.
Avoid Pesticides
Insects are a crucial food source for many birds, especially during breeding season when they need protein to feed their chicks. By avoiding pesticides, you’ll maintain a healthy insect population that supports your bird community naturally.
Provide Nesting Sites
Leave some areas of your garden a bit wild. Dense shrubs, hollow-bearing trees (or install nest boxes), and undisturbed corners give birds safe places to nest. During nesting season (typically August to January in Perth), avoid heavy pruning.
Keep Cats Indoors
Domestic cats are one of the biggest threats to garden birds. If you have cats, keep them indoors, especially during dawn and dusk when birds are most active. If your cat must go outside, use a cat enclosure or fit them with a collar and bell.
What Not to Do
Don’t Feed Bread or Processed Foods: These provide little nutrition and can harm birds. Native birds don’t need supplementary feeding if you’ve provided the right habitat.
Avoid Non-Native Plants: Exotic plants often don’t provide the right nutrition and can become invasive, crowding out native species that birds depend on.
Don’t Use Netting Carelessly: If you must protect fruit trees, use wildlife-safe netting with a mesh size of 5mm or less to prevent birds from becoming entangled.
The Reward of Patience
Creating a bird-friendly garden doesn’t happen overnight. Native plants may take a year or two to establish and flower, but once they do, you’ll be rewarded with regular avian visitors. Start with a few key species, be patient, and enjoy watching your garden transform into a thriving bird habitat.
There’s something magical about sitting in your garden with a morning coffee, surrounded by the calls of Rainbow Lorikeets, the caroling of magpies, and the flash of a Spinebill darting between flowers. With a few thoughtful changes, your Perth garden can become a sanctuary for these beautiful native birds.