It’s that time of year! The time when fledglings begin making their first flights and then come hopping through the garden in search of food. These adorable birds will become the next generation of feathered friends to spread seeds far and wide and help pollinate plants.
Your local birds are also the frontline when it comes to natural pest control. They gobble up mosquitos and Japanese beetles along with other nuisance insects. And let’s not forget how exciting it is to find a nest of eggs that will soon become featherless pink hatchlings.
If you’re looking to increase your army of fledglings, investing in habitat shrubs where they can nest is a surefire way to do so. What shrubs offer the best cover, support, food, and protection?
Junipers
When it comes to nest protection and food, Junipers are a top choice for birds! Juniper berries, like those of the native Blueberry Delight Juniper, offer a natural source of nutrients and substance.
These shrubs are also an ideal nest locale since their foliage is dense enough to hide a nest and are slightly pointed to ward off some predators.
Jupiners also come with the added bonus of beauty all year long! These evergreen shrubs add vibrancy to the winter garden and long lasting cover for wildlife.
Hollies
It’s hard to top a holly when it comes to an inviting habitat for birds. These evergreen shrubs come in a wide range of sizes and varieties, so it’s easy to find one that will match your aesthetic.
As far as bird favorites, you cannot go wrong with any winterberry varieties like Little GoblinⓇ Guy Winterberry Holly or the dwarf version of a North American native, the Yaupon Holly. Both of these offer abundant late-season berries, dense foliage for masking nesting sites, and ample protection from possible predators.
Blue jays, grosbeaks, mourning doves, and finches all prefer to build their nests in evergreens!
Barberries
Few shrubs make a hedge as beneficial and beautiful as the barberry. With a variety of foliage colors to choose from and unique forms, you’ll enjoy this shrub as much as your local birds do!
The barberry’s winter berries are a great food source to encourage more birds to visit your garden. And their thorned branches prevent hungry predators from raiding nests hidden within the barberry’s branches.
The combination of wine-colored, gold, and vibrant red foliage of barberry shrubs also attracts compliments and attention from onlookers.
Viburnum
If you’re looking for a shrub that does double duty for your wildlife, a few viburnum will surpass your expectations. These lovely shrubs provide birds with canopy to protect nests from rain along with vibrant long-lasting berries to keep your birds full from spring until summer.
The Blue MuffinⓇ variety is a particular favorite among birds, while the Cardinal CandyⓇ also lives up to its name. But it’s hard to go wrong with any one of the lovely varieties of viburnum when it comes to attracting pollinators, as well.
Roses
Roses may not be the first shrub that comes to mind when you think of nest birds, but maybe they should be. Sparrows, thrashers, cardinals, and catbirds all opt for flowering shrubs when it comes to nesting options.
Not only do roses offer lux foliage coverage to protect against wind, rain, and sun, but the thin nature of rose branches allow birds to easily hop between branches.
Birds like to nest at least 5 feet above the ground, so look for climbing roses and roses that soar in height. The Cupid’s Kisses™ makes an excellent choice
What Are Other Ways to Attract Birds to Your Garden?
The benefits of garden birds are abundant! From the excitement of watching hatchlings become fledglings to witnessing some of the rarer species, creating an inviting habitat for our avian buddies is priceless.
To encourage more feathered visitors to explore and nest in your yard, check some of these off your landscaping to-do list:
- Cluster shrubs together for greater protection value for birds.
- Create a trail of shrubs from nearby trees, so birds can easily come and go.
- Plant a variety of bird-friendly shrubs of differing heights.
- Place bird feeders within 10 feet of shrubs and trees to increase bird visitors.
- Provide natural food sources in addition to feeders.
- Use a birdbath to create a water supply and place for birds to bathe.
- Hang some bird boxes around your property.
Finding the right products that bring all the birds to the yard doesn’t have to be difficult. Keep in mind different species like different varieties of shrubs. However, almost all birds prefer to nest in a spot that is high enough off the ground to protect them and their offspring from predators.
They also like foliage and branches that protect their nest from the elements. We recommend choosing shrubs that reflect your garden’s personality and that you find aesthetically pleasing, and soon you will become a pro birdwatcher that is head-over-heels in love with their garden.
Looking to attract more birds to your yard? Learn more about the best bird feeders on the market.
