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This article was written by
Thomas D. Patrick, President and
Founder of the WindStar Wildlife
Institute, a national, non-profit
conservation organization whose
mission is to help individuals and
families establish or improve the
wildlife habitat on their properties.
For more information or for the
name of a Master Wildlife Habitat
Naturalist in your area, please
contact:
WindStar Wildlife Institute
10072 Vista Court
Myersville, Maryland 21773
Phone: (301) 293-3351
E-mail: wildalife@windstar.org
http://www.windstar.org
The first three habitat
requirements – food, cover, and
water can be manipulated by
man but space may be more
difficult Increasing a species
variety can be achieved by
providing a mixture of habitats
with plants, trees, and shrubs in
various stages of development.
BEST SHRUBS FOR WILDLIFE
Shrubs
Benefits for Wildlife
Wildlife Attracted
Arrowwood
Berries, Foliage
Grouse, Cedar Waxwing,
Brown Thrasher,
Squirrel, Deer
Azalea, Flame
Leaves, Nectar
Hummingbird,
Deer, Butterflies,
other insects
Blackhaw
Berries, Folliage
Grouse,
Cedar Waxwing,
Brown Thrasher,
Squirrel, Deer
Elderberry
Berries, Nectar
Woodpeckers,
Blue Jay, Thrushes,
Grosbeaks, Rabbit,
Squirrel
Mountain Laurel Nectar
Butterflies,
other insects
Spicebush
Berries
Thrushes, Catbird,
Kingbird
Sumac, Shining
Fruit, Twigs,
Quail, Bluebird,
Foliage
Catbird, Robin,
Mockingbird, Rabbit,
Deer
Sumac, Smooth
Fruit, Twigs,
Quail, Bluebird,
Foliage
Catbird, Robin,
Mokingbird, Rabbit, Deer
Sumac, Staghorn Fruit, Twigs,
Quail, Bluebird,
Foliage
Catbird, Robin,
Mockingbird, Rabbit,
Deer
Wax Myrtle
Berries
Quail, Bluebird, Catbird,
Tree Swallow,
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Witchhazel
Seeds, Twigs
Grouse, Deer
An example of species variety
is when you want to attract all
types of songbirds because you
like to watch them eat at bird
feeders located near your
house. This is possible by
providing different kinds of seed
such as thistle, sunflower, or
peanut.
Or, if you have an acreage or
farm, maybe you want to
increase the number of
pheasant or quail on your
property because you like to
hunt.
In order to attract the birds,
you might plant a few rows of
corn, grain sorghum, or millet on
your property, next to fence
rows or hedgerows, and not
harvest the grain in the fall so
it can be eaten over the cold
winter months by wildlife. Make
sure you also have adequate
water and cover available.
You should know the needs of
each species you want to
attract. The result can be a
stable and varied wildlife
population. To attract a specific
species, you’ll need to
manipulate vegetation so that
the cover, food, and water are
less limiting for that species. If
the species you want to
attract requires a variety of
habitat needs, you’ll be able to
plan for that also.
Note: Plants mentioned in this publication are somewhat generic.
Please contact your state native plant society or department of
natural resources for appropriate native plants for your area.
