Minnesota Birds and Water Features: Creating the Perfect Backyard Retreat with Birdhouses and Feeders

Ashley in Chaska had always dreamed of a peaceful backyard retreat. She loved the idea of sitting by a tranquil pond, enjoying the soothing sounds of water flowing, while watching birds flit from branch to branch. But as a busy working professional at the hospital, she didn’t want to spend hours maintaining a garden or any complex landscape features. When she reached out to us at Superior Ponds, she wasn’t just looking for a water feature. She wanted to attract local birds and create a sanctuary she could enjoy year-round from her window.

After clearly discussing her vision and sharing transparent pond pricing, we designed a simple yet elegant pond with a small, shallow waterfall, added a few strategically placed birdhouses around the edges, and placed a bird feeder just nearby. The result? Sarah now has the perfect spot for birdwatching, with the soothing presence of flowing water, a few resident birds, and an ever-changing show of wildlife activity throughout the year.

If you’re like Ashley and wanting to bring nature into your backyard and connect more deeply with local wildlife, then adding a combination of birdhouses, bird feeders, and water features is an excellent way to create a serene, engaging outdoor space. Whether you have a pond, a fountain, or a pondless waterfall, there are simple ways to enhance your backyard’s appeal to birds—turning it into an all-season sanctuary.

Prefer to listen instead? Tune in below as Andrew and Emma discuss this article on the Ponderings Podcast!

Why Birds Love Water Features

Water features, whether a pond, a pondless waterfall, or a fountain, do more than just beautify your landscape—they serve as a lifeline for local birds (and other local wildlife). Just like us, birds need water to survive, especially in dry months. If you want to attract more birds, here’s why a water feature is the perfect addition to your yard:

Water for Drinking – Birds, like all wildlife, need access to clean, fresh water to drink. While they may find dew or rain in the wild, a pond or fountain gives them a reliable, year-round water source. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, birds actively seek out moving water sources, as the sound and sight of running water signal freshness and safety from contamination (Cornell Lab, 2021). Being located at your backdoor, you get the benefit of watching them come to you!
Water for Bathing – Birds love to bathe. Not only does bathing help keep their feathers clean and free of parasites, but it also provides them with an enjoyable and relaxing activity. A gently flowing stream or a shallow pond edge is ideal for birds to bathe in. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, birds maintain warmth by trapping pockets of air around their bodies, and the secret to maintaining these layers of air lies in having clean, dry, and flexible feathers (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2023). When they’re finished, the warm rocks around the edges are a favorite for them to dry off on after bathing.
A Natural Habitat – Adding a water feature encourages more biodiversity, inviting a variety of species to visit your yard. As the water attracts insects, small amphibians, and other creatures, it creates an ecosystem that birds are naturally drawn to for both food and shelter. The National Wildlife Federation emphasizes that backyard water sources, such as ponds and birdbaths, provide critical resources for birds, leading to increased avian activity and biodiversity in residential areas (National Wildlife Federation). Similarly, the U.S. Geological Survey highlights that wetlands and water features serve as vital habitats, supporting birds by offering food, shelter, and breeding opportunities (USGS, 2025).

Choosing the Right Water Feature for Birds

The key to attracting birds with water features is simplicity and accessibility. The right water feature should not only be visually appealing but also practical for the needs of your feathered friends.

Ponds

A well-designed ecosystem pond offers a natural, habitat-rich environment for birds, with shallow areas perfect for wading and deeper spots for more permanent water access. Minnesota’s native birds, such as wood ducks, robins, and chickadees, love to visit ponds, especially when they’re surrounded by native plants and trees.

Tips for Pond Design for Bird Watching:

Ensure that parts of your pond have a shallow slope or edge rocks, making it easy for birds to approach the water without risking drowning. Be extremely careful of many DIY kits and tub liners that have smooth edges as birds and other wildlife are unable to escape if they fall into the pond.

If you have a simple water feature, consider installing a small waterfall or a bubbler in the pond. The movement of water will attract birds and deter mosquitoes, creating a lively, inviting atmosphere. According to the Minnesota DNR, birds prefer water sources with gentle movement over still water due to a lower risk of bacteria and mosquito breeding (Minnesota DNR, 2025). During Minnesota winters for those with fish, you’ll need to keep your pond aerated anyway to prevent the water from freezing entirely. This is a double help because birds still need access to water, especially in cold winter months.

Pondless Waterfalls

A pondless waterfall is a great option if you prefer a lower-maintenance water feature while still attracting birds. This feature mimics the beauty and sound of a traditional waterfall but without the large body of standing water.

Why Birds Love Pondless Waterfalls:

Sound and Visual Appeal – The sound of running water attracts birds, providing a natural, soothing environment for them. They’ll enjoy visiting the falls for drinking and bathing. As with our personal waterfall that runs into our pond, birds love the splashing water and framing rocks on the edges that allow them to jump in and out of the gentle flows!

If you really want to bring it up a notch, pondless waterfalls can be built with shallow basins of water at the bottom, perfect for birds to drink from and take a quick dip. I personally love sticking my feet into shallow basins at the bottom of waterfalls and letting the birds enjoy the water around me. It is heaven on earth!

Tips for Installing Pondless Waterfalls for Birds:

Position the waterfall near plants or trees where birds can perch safely while they drink or bathe.
Install a small basin or shallow edge where birds can access water easily.
Keep the water moving and clean to create a safe, healthy habitat for visiting wildlife.

Fountains

Fountains are an excellent choice for homeowners with limited space, budget, or simply wanting a lower maintenance feature but who still wants to bring nature into their backyard. The soft sound of running water, whether it’s a small bubbling rock fountain or a larger cascading urn design, is always sure to attract a variety of birds.

Why Birds Love Fountains:

Easy to Find – The movement of water helps to catch the attention of nearby birds, especially those who may be foraging in your garden.

Easy to Enjoy – Shallow reservoirs in fountains make them perfect for drinking and bathing for smaller bird species like finches and sparrows.

Easy to Maintain – Fountains are simple to maintain for your benefit and can more easily be kept running year-round, providing an attractive, consistent water source for birds.

Birdhouses and Bird Feeders: How They Complement Water Features

While water features draw birds in, birdhouses and bird feeders encourage longer visits and help create a balanced, welcoming environment for our local bird friends. Combining water, food, and shelter creates a sanctuary for birds to thrive.

Birdhouses: A Safe Haven for Birds

Birdhouses offer shelter for birds to nest, rest, and seek refuge from predators. They’re especially useful during Minnesota’s colder months when birds need a safe place to rest and escape harsh weather. The design of the birdhouse should match the species you’re trying to attract, as different birds have different needs for nesting.

Birdhouses for Local Minnesota Birds:

Chickadees – Prefer small entrance holes (around 1-1/8 inches) and a depth of 8 to 10 inches.
Tree Swallows – Need a larger hole (about 1-1/2 inches) and a height of 8 to 12 inches.
Blue Jays – Typically nest in trees, but will sometimes use larger boxes with entrances around 2 inches.

Bird Feeders: Keeping Birds Fed Year-Round

Adding bird feeders to your water feature garden is an effective way to keep birds coming back to your backyard. Bird feeders provide an easy food source, especially during the colder months when food is scarce.

Types of Bird Feeders to Consider:

Hopper Feeders – Good for larger birds like cardinals and woodpeckers.
Tube Feeders – Best for finches, chickadees, and other small birds.
Platform Feeders – Ideal for a wide variety of birds, especially if you use a mix of seeds.

Tips for Placing Bird Feeders Near Water Features:

Hang bird feeders at a safe height, preferably near some shrubs or trees where birds can perch and easily spot potential predators.
Opt for squirrel-proof feeders if you’re concerned about local squirrels taking all the food. Because if they can steal all the food, they will steal all the food!
Ensure feeders are refilled regularly, especially during winter months when food can be scarce.

Local Minnesota Birds to Watch Around Your Water Feature

Minnesota is home to an abundance of bird species that will find your backyard water feature to be a welcome oasis. Depending on where you’re located around the Twin Cities, these are a few local species you might spot around your water feature:

Black-capped Chickadee – A small, friendly bird that’s often seen around birdhouses and feeders.
American Robin – Known for their red chests, robins love to visit ponds for water and can be seen bathing during warm months.
Northern Cardinal – A stunning bird with bright red plumage that loves to perch near feeders and water.
Mallard Duck – These ducks are often seen swimming in ponds or floating around water features.
Eastern Bluebird – A small, colorful bird that enjoys open areas with easy access to water.
Baltimore Oriole – Known for their striking orange and black coloration, they are frequent visitors to water features in the spring and summer.
Common Yellowthroat – A small warbler often seen near wetland edges, these birds love dense vegetation and shallow water sources.

Create a Year-Round Sanctuary for Birds and You

Birdwatching isn’t just a summer activity. With the right mix of water features, birdhouses, and feeders, you can enjoy birds all year long. Imagine sitting by your window, sipping coffee in the winter, and watching birds flit from the branches of your trees, drink from your pond, and bathe in your waterfall—all while the soothing sound of water plays in the background.

What birds have you spotted around your water feature? What type of birdhouses or feeders have worked best for you? Let us know in the comments how you have turned your backyard into a wildlife sanctuary!

How Superior Ponds Can Help

At Superior Ponds, we specialize in creating beautiful, low-maintenance water features that attract birds and other wildlife to your backyard. Whether you’re looking for a new pond, fountain, or a pondless waterfall like Ashley, we can help you design a water feature that fits your landscape and creates a welcoming environment for local wildlife. We can further help with installing bird houses and bird feeders that work with your water feature and your viewing areas to maximize your perfect bird watching experience

We also offer pond maintenance services to ensure your water feature remains clean, clear, and operational throughout the year, making it an ideal habitat for birds.

Want to attract more birds to your backyard? Contact us at Superior Ponds today to explore how we can help you create the perfect sanctuary with water features that enhance your landscape and wildlife experience.