Bird Sanctuary: Nourishment, Protection, and Breeding Locations
Why spend time looking for birds when you can attract them to your very own backyard haven? By putting in a little effort and selecting certain plants that offer food and refuge, you can transform nearly any area into a paradise for these winged creatures. Some might even decide to make it their permanent home! “A number of bird species are decreasing due to habitat reduction. One environment where we can directly impact avian living spaces is within our properties,” explains Emma Greig, who leads FeederWatch at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
“By creating a
bird-friendly garden
“By providing birds with refuge, nourishment, and perhaps even a spot to build nests and nurture their offspring,” Emma explains. Keep in mind that variety is crucial when designing a garden meant to offer significant advantages to birds from various species.
To provide a comprehensive habitat for birds that can be utilized throughout the year, it’s ideal to establish a diverse array of plant species, thus fostering a balanced ecological system with all the necessary elements for their prosperity.
There are many varied bird species that require different things: Some need seeds, some
need insects
Some require particular kinds of plants for their nests,”Emma explains.” By offering a range of vegetation, you increase the likelihood that you’ll cater to the requirements of various species.
Foods With a Furious Nutrition Kick
A significant portion of a bird’s day revolves around searching for sustenance such as seeds, fruits, nectar, and bugs. To think like a ravenous bird, opt for plant species that create an abundant feast within your garden—especially crucial during fall and winter months when natural provisions become sparse and shorter days limit time available for scavenging. “In numerous ways, plants nourish birds; they supply vital nutrients through means of seeds and more.”
berries
, Emma explains. “Without plants, many bird species couldn’t survive. Pigeons may be one of the exceptions though!
Throughout the growing period, low-care perennials like ornamental grasses can be utilized.
coneflower
, coreopsis, sunflower and
sedum
draw in insects that nesting songbirds enjoy feasting on. Maintain the bird feast by leaving withered flowers standing post-season to enable seedheads to form and nourish overwintering birds like chickadees, goldfinches, and titmice.
Don’t overlook the enthusiasts of nectar and berries! To create a welcoming environment for native hummingbirds, consider incorporating nectar-producing plants featuring tubular blossoms in vibrant colors.
cardinal flower
and
salvia
, whether potted or integrated into the landscape, is an easy choice.
Ultimately, numerous plants offer a wealth of berries that birds depend on, particularly as colder temperatures arrive.
Winterberry
, chokeberry,
beautyberry
Flowering dogwood and cotoneaster are both compact shrubs brimming with nutrient-dense berries, ideal for small spaces and petite gardens due to their manageable size.
Seek Shelter Beneath Trees and Shrubs
Many advantages come with offering shelters for birds amid ongoing habitat loss that disrupts their migratory paths and reproductive grounds. Thick tree leaves and bushy areas offer daytime defense against enemies and nighttime refuge for sleeping. Birds can find resting places high up on branches when traveling long distances or searching for food, along with safe locations to build nests and nurture offspring.
Consider
native trees
And shrubs, which frequently offer numerous advantages, like serving as larval host plants that provide protein for newly hatched insects. “One of my favorite choices is”
serviceberry
“Because it offers shelter, nesting spots, berries, and insects,” explains Emma. “Plus, it’s a beautiful tree to include in your garden.” The cedar waxwings, robins, catbirds, along with nearly 30 additional bird species concur.
To design a backyard where birds will feel secure and comfortable, replicate the various levels of vegetation seen in nature. Include trees and shrubs with different heights and structures (as well as native climbers like Virginia creeper).
trumpet honeysuckle
When grown together, they create an environment that accommodates a wide range of bird species.
In winter,
evergreens
are particularly crucial in regions with colder temperatures. Deciduous trees shed their leaves, leaving them vulnerable to weather conditions. Additionally, this exposes birds to harsher environmental factors. Furthermore,
hollies
offer shelters available all year round along with nesting locations, plus the advantage of berries that mature in autumn and stay through winter.
The Top Three Plants for Bird Attractions
These dynamic plants offer the perfect trio for birds’ needs—food, shelter, and nesting spots!
Crabapple
Malus
Species, Hardiness Zones 3 through 8
Robins, bluebirds, finches, cardinals, and others gather around crabapple trees because these trees offer nectar and insects during springtime and edible fruits later in autumn. The tree’s branch system adorned with flowers provides perfect shelter and an attractive spot for birds to build their nests as well.
Spruce
Picea
Species, Hardiness Zones 2 through 8
Spruces serve as an abundant food resource, providing insects for birds such as warblers during early spring. In autumn and winter, they yield seed-filled cones and fruits. The lush evergreen needles ensure great shelter, while their tightly packed branches create ideal conditions for nests.
Common milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
L
., Zones 3 through 8
Milkweed
draws numerous insects throughout the growing season, which benefits local bird populations. Additionally, species such as goldfinches and juncos feed on the seeds in autumn and wintertime. The plant’s thick growth pattern provides cover for ground-foraging birds. For instance, the American goldfinch utilizes the silky fibers from the milkweed to cushion their nests.
About the Expert
Emma Greig
serves as the project manager for
Project FeederWatch
, a citizen science program, for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Emma holds a Ph. D. from the University of Chicago and previously was a postdoctoral associate in
Macaulay Library
.
Sources
-
Wisconsin Horticulture Division of Extension –
Serviceberry -
Alliance for Chesapeake Bay –
Trees that benefit birds, satisfy your cravings, and inspire your creativity
“ -
“All About Birds” –
To Attract Birds to Your Garden, Plant Local Species: Here’s How to Begin
“ -
“The American Gardener” –
Bird-Friendly Winter Gardens
“
