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By carefully choosing a variety
of trees, shrubs, and other
plants, then adding additional
food and water as needed, you
can create a habitat that will
bring you endless enjoyment
through every season.
Birds come in a wide variety,
so it is only natural that they
have a large range of
preferences as far as food,
nesting sites, and shelter.
If all species enjoyed the same
plants, there would be
overcrowding and too great a
drain on limited resources.
Therefore, when you are
choosing plants, strive for
diversity to ensure the greatest
assortment of species in your
yard.
You will want to consider
trees, shrubs, grasses, flowers,
vines, brambles, and even dead
trees, known as “snags." Those
birds that don’t migrate will
need seeds and berries to carry
them through the winter, as well
as pines or other non-deciduous
trees and shrubs to offer
protection from snow and cold
temperatures.
It is best if you can plant in
levels, extending from taller
trees at the top, down through
shrubs to flowers and ground
covers, since different birds live
and feed at different heights.
These should be grouped, rather
than planted as individual
specimens, and can be placed
along the border of your
property or as “islands" in your
yard.
Hedges are also very enticing
to birds, especially if you have
the space to make them at
least eight feet wide. If you have
an out-of-the-way corner, many
bird species will appreciate a
thicket of blackberries,
raspberries, honeysuckle
bushes, or native roses.
Keep in mind that these
plants, while offering both food
and excellent nesting sites, can
become invasive, so only include
them if you can keep them
under control with mowing.
If you have a dead tree trunk
that is not endangering any
structure, keep it in place and
add ivy or other vines to
disguise it and offer protection
to birds. Many species use
snags even without any green
covering, both for food and nest
holes.
If most of the trees on your
property are deciduous, losing
their leaves in winter, you might
consider collecting discarded
Christmas trees and tie them
to posts to create a windbreak
and shelter during the winter
months.
They will remain green until
warmer weather, at which time
they can be discarded, perhaps
by forming a brush pile that will
provide year-round shelter for a
variety of wildlife.
By studying plant
descriptions before buying, you
can plan a habitat that
includes food sources
throughout the year. Many birds
nest when natural food sources
are at their peak, giving them
easy access and allowing more
time to tend their young.
Since many birds return to
nest in the same area year
after year, providing the
favorite foods of the species
that you want to attract is
the best way to increase their
population in your yard.
Water
All wildlife needs water, and
birds are no exception. Birds
both drink water and bathe in it.
While they seem to get great
enjoyment from bathing, it is
also necessary for their
survival. Their wings get bent
and out of position during
normal activities, so grooming
while bathing keeps them ready
for flight. As the feathers slide
through their beaks, they are
also spreading oils that keep
them waterproof and maintain
their insulating properties.
Some birds that don’t come to
seed feeders, such as robins,
will still entertain you by coming
to bathe.
The easiest way to provide
water for birds is with a simple
birdbath. It should be located
about 15" from shrubbery but,
since a wet bird cannot fly as
easily, there should be clear
space around it so that
predators are easily spotted.
If there are cats in the area,
put the bath on a pedestal
about 40" off the ground. The
placement should not be
anywhere that chemicals can
drift into the water and, while
there are many creative
materials that can be made
into birdbaths, it should not be
lead-lined.
A birdbath can be any size,
but 24"-36" in diameter seems
to be the most popular for a
wide variety of birds. It
shouldn’t be slippery and, since
birds have a natural fear of
deep water, should gradually
