How do we lure birds back into our gardens?

It was heartening to see NZ Herald columnist Brian Rudman writing this morning about rare native birds being lured back into the city limits by thoughtful planting of their favourite trees. It got me thinking about some of the fantastic birds I've seen or heard from time to time in New Zealand cities.

I also wondered about some of the birds we never see – and what we could do to lure them back.

Last year for instance our local kingfisher spent a fortnight visiting our garden. I wondered what the attraction was, until I made a recount of the goldfish – and all became clear.

We're also (in Auckland) lucky enough to have spring sung in by shining cuckoos (pictured above). This is one of those birds you almost never see, but it has a  distinctive call.

Cuckoos winter over in the Cook Islands and arrive in New Zealand in time to lay eggs into the nests of grey warblers, which do the hard work of raising their chicks. Clever birds! Maori folklore says that migrating cuckoos had pieces of knotted string tied to their legs as a way to carry messages between New Zealand and Rarotonga. Was this the first ever international text message?!

Speaking of text messages, a tui in the treetops near our house has taken to imitating the sound of a text message arriving, and also does a credible car alarm!

What birds have you seen or heard in your neighbourhood, and what tips do you have for luring them into the city?