LANDSCAPING TO ATTRACT BIRDS
The text that follows was taken from a US Fish & Wildlife Service
pamphlet, "Landscaping to Attract Birds," and was edited by Terry Ross. For more
information about attracting, feeding, and sheltering wild birds, see the
other files on the Backyard Birding page,
which is brought to you courtesy of the Baltimore Bird Club. Send any comments to
Terry Ross at
Table of Contents
- INTRODUCTION
- BENEFITS OF LANDSCAPING FOR BIRDS
- BASICS OF LANDSCAPING FOR BIRDS
- PLANTS FOR WILD BIRDS
- HOW TO GET STARTED
- READING LIST
Among the fondest and most memorable moments of childhood are the
discoveries of songbirds nesting in the back yard. The distinctive,
mud-lined nests of robins and their beautiful blue eggs captivate people of
all ages. Likewise, the nesting activities of house wrens, cardinals,
chickadees, and other common birds can stimulate a lifelong interest in
nature.
As people learn to enjoy the beauty of birdlife around their home,
they may wish to improve the "habitat" in their yard so that more birds
will visit their property. You can attract birds by placing bird feeders,
nest boxes, and bird baths in your yard, and by planting a variety of
trees, shrubs, and flowers. These can provide good nesting sites, winter
shelter, places to hide from predators, and natural food supplies that are
available year-round.
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At least ten benefits can be derived from landscaping to attract birds
to your yard:
Increased Wildlife Populations
You can probably double the number of bird species using your property
with a good landscaping plan.
Energy Conservation
By carefully arranging your conifer and hardwood trees, you can lower
winter heating and summer cooling bills for your house.
Soil Conservation
Certain landscape plants can prevent soil erosion.
Natural Beauty
A good landscaping plan will contribute to a beautiful, natural
setting around your home that is pleasing to people as well as birds.
Wildlife Photography
Wildlife photography is a wonderful hobby for people of all ages.
Birdwatching
A fun hobby is to keep a list of all the birds seen in your yard or
from your yard. Some people have counted over 190 species of birds in their
yard!
Natural Insect Control
Birds such as tree swallows, house wrens, brown thrashers, and orioles
eat a variety of insects.
Food Production
Some plants that attract wildlife are also appealing to people.
Cherries, chokecherries, strawberries, and crabapples can be shared by
people and wildlife.
Property Value
A good landscaping plan can greatly increase the value of your
property by adding natural beauty and an abundance of wildlife.
Habitat for Children
Some of the best wildlife habitats are the best "habitats" for young
people to discover the wonders of nature. A backyard habitat can stimulate
young people to develop a lifelong interest in wildlife and
conservation.
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Landscaping for birds involves nine basic principles:
Food
Every bird species has its own unique food requirements, and these may
change as the bird matures and as the seasons change. Learn the food habits
of the birds you wish to attract. Then plant the appropriate trees, shrubs,
or flowers that will provide the fruits, berries, grains, seeds, acorns,
nuts, or nectar.
Water
You can probably double the number of bird species in your yard by
providing a source of water. A frog pond, water garden, or bird bath will
get lots of bird use, especially if the water is dripping, splashing, or
moving.
Shelter
Birds need places where they can hide from predators and escape from
severe weather. Trees (including hollow ones), shrubs, tall grass, and bird
houses provide excellent shelter.
Diversity
The best landscaping plan is one that includes a wide variety of
plants. This helps attract a greater number of bird species.
Four Seasons
It is necessary to provide birds with food and shelter during all four
seasons of the year. Plant trees, shrubs, and flowers that will provide
year-round food and shelter.
Arrangement
Habitat components need to be properly arranged. Consider the effects
of prevailing winds (and snow drifting) so your yard will be protected from
harsh winter weather.
Protection
Birds should be protected from unnecessary mortality. When choosing
the placement of bird feeders and nest boxes, consider their accessibility
to predators.
Picture windows can be death traps for birds. A network of parallel,
vertical strings spaced 4 inches apart can be placed on the outside of
windows to prevent this problem.
You also should be cautious about the kinds of herbicides and
pesticides used in your yard. They should be applied only when necessary
and strictly according to label instructions.
Hardiness Zones
When considering plants not native to your area, consult a plant
hardiness zone map (they are in most garden catalogues). Make sure the
plants you want are rated for the winter hardiness zone classification of
your area.
Soils and Topography
Consult with your local garden center, university, or county extension
office to have a soil test done for your yard. Plant species are often
adapted to certain types of soils. By knowing what type of soil you have,
you can identify the types of plants that should grow best in your
yard.
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Seven types of plants are important for bird habitat:
Conifers
Conifers are evergreen trees and shrubs that include pines, spruces,
firs, arborvitae, junipers, cedars, and yews. These plants are important as
escape cover, winter shelter, and summer nesting sites. Some also provide
sap, buds, and seeds.
Grasses and Legumes
Grasses and legumes can provide cover for ground nesting
birds--especially if the area is not mowed during the nesting season. Some
grasses and legumes provide seeds as well. Native prairie grasses are
becoming increasingly popular for landscaping purposes.
Nectar-Producing Plants
Nectar-producing plants are very popular for attracting hummingbirds
and orioles. Flowers with tubular red corollas are especially attractive to
hummingbirds. Other trees, shrubs, vines and flowers can also provide
nectar for hummingbirds.
Summer-Fruiting Plants
This category includes plants that produce fruits or berries from
May through August. Among birds that can be attracted in the summer are
brown thrashers, catbirds, robins, thrushes, waxwings, woodpeckers,
orioles, cardinals, towhees, and grosbeaks. Examples of summer-fruiting
plants are various species of cherry, chokecherry, honeysuckle, raspberry,
serviceberry, blackberry, blueberry, grape, mulberry, plum, and
elderberry.
Fall-Fruiting Plants
This landscape component includes shrubs and vines whose fruits
are ripe in the fall. These foods are important both for migratory birds
which build up fat reserves prior to migration and as a food source for
non-migratory species that need to enter the winter season in good physical
condition. Fall-fruiting plants include dogwoods, mountain ash,
winter-berries, cottoneasters, and buffalo-berries.
Winter-Fruiting Plants
Winter-fruiting plants are those whose fruits remain attached to
the plants long after they first become ripe in the fall. Many are not
palatable until they have frozen and thawed numerous times. Examples are
glossy black chokecherry, Siberian and "red splendor" crabapple,
snowberry, bittersweet, sumacs, American highbush cranberry, eastern and
European wahoo, Virginia creeper, and Chinaberry.
Nut and Acorn Plants
These include oaks, hickories, buckeyes, chestnuts, butternuts,
walnuts, and hazels. The meats of broken nuts and acorns are eaten by a
variety of birds. These plants also provide good nesting
habitat.
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Think of this project as "landscaping for birds." Your goal will be to
plant an assortment of trees, shrubs, and flowers that will attract birds.
If you plan carefully it can be inexpensive and fun for the whole
family. The best way to get started is to follow these guidelines:
Set Your Priorities
Decide what types of birds you wish to attract, then build your plan
around the needs of those species. Talk to friends and neighbors to find
out what kinds of birds frequent your area. Attend a local bird club
meeting and talk to local birdwatchers about how they have attracted birds
to their yards.
Use Native Plants When Possible
Check with the botany department of a nearby college or university or
with your Natural Heritage Program for lists of trees, shrubs, and
wildflowers native to your area. Use this list as a starting point for your
landscape plan. These plants are naturally adapted to the climate of your
area and are a good long-term investment. Many native plants are beautiful
for landscaping purposes and are excellent for birds. If you include
non-native plant species in your plan, be sure they are not considered
"invasive pests" by plant experts.
Draw a Map of Your Property
Draw a map of your property to scale using graph paper. Identify buildings,
sidewalks, powerlines, buried cables, fences, septic tank fields, trees,
shrubs, and patios. Consider how your plan relates to your neighbor's
property (will the tree you plant shade out the neighbor's vegetable
garden?) Identify and map sunny or shady sites, low or wet sites, sandy
sites, and native plants that will be left in place. Also identify special
views that you wish to enhance--areas for pets, benches, picnics, storage,
playing, sledding, vegetable gardens, and paths.
Get Your Soil Tested
Get your soil tested by your local garden center, university, or soil
conservation service. Find out what kinds of soil you have, and then find
out if your soils have nutrient or organic deficiencies that can be
corrected by fertilization or addition of compost. The soils you have will
help determine the plants which can be included in your landscaping plan.
Review the Seven
Plant Habitat Components Review the seven plant components that were
described previously. Which components are already present? Which ones are
missing? Remember that you are trying to provide food and cover through all
four seasons. Develop a list of plants that you think will provide the
missing habitat components.
Confer With Resource Experts
Review this plant list with landscaping resource experts who can match
your ideas with your soil types, soil drainage, and the plants available
through state or private nurseries. People at the nearby arboretum may be
able to help with your selections. At an arboretum you can also see what
many plants look like.
Develop Your Planting Plan
Sketch on your map the plants you wish to add. Trees should be drawn
to a scale that represents three-fourths of their mature width and shrubs
at their full mature width. This will help you calculate how many trees and
shrubs you need. There is a tendency to include so many trees that
eventually your yard will be mostly shaded. Be sure to leave open sunny
sites where flowers and shrubs can thrive. Decide how much money you can
spend and the time span of your project. Don't try to do too much at once.
Perhaps you should try a five year development plan.
Implement Your Plan
Finally, go to it! Begin your plantings and be sure to include your
family so they can all feel they are helping wildlife. Document your
plantings on paper and by photographs. Try taking pictures of your yard
from the same spots every year to document the growth of your plants.
Maintain Your Plan
Keep your new trees, shrubs, and flowers adequately watered, and keep
your planting areas weed-free by use of landscaping film and wood chips or
shredded bark mulch. This avoids the use of herbicides for weed control. If
problems develop with your plants, consult a local nursery or garden
center.
And Finally...
Most of all, take the time to enjoy the wildlife that will eventually
respond to your efforts at landscaping for birds.
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Dennis, John V. 1985. The Wildlife Gardener. Alfred A. Knopf.
New York, 293 pp.
Diekelmann, J. and C. 1982. Natural Landscaping. Designing with
native plant communities. McGraw Hill. New York. 276 pp.
Gill, J. D. and W. M. Healy. 1974. Shrubs and Vines for
Northeastern Wildlife. NE Forest Expt. Station. Upper Darby, PA
180 pp.
Henderson, Carol L 1987. Landscaping for Wildlife. Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources. St. Paul. 145 pp.
McKinley, Michael. 1983. How to Attract Birds. Ortho books. San
Francisco. 96 pp.
Martin, A. C., H. S. Zim and A. L. Nelson. 1961. American
Wildlife and Plants, A Guide to wildlife and plants. Dover ed.
New York. 500 pp.
Smyser, Carol A. 1982. Nature's Design. Rodale Press. Emmaus,
PA. 390 pp.
Stokes, Donald W. 1989. The Natural History of Wild Shrubs and
Vines. The Globe Pequot Press. Chester, Conn. 246 pp.
Terres, John K. 1987. Songbirds in Your Garden, Harper and Row
Publ. New York. 306 pp.
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