Horticulture Fact Sheet
H-91-008
The University
of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Cooperative Extension Service
Environmental Enhancement with
Ornamental Plants: Attracting Birds
Mel Garber, Extension Horticulturist
Birds can be an important aspect of our backyard environment. In many
cases, the quality of our environment is perceived to be directly related to
the population of birds. The bird population in your yard or neighborhood
park can be increased with the proper selection and arrangement of
ornamental trees and shrubs. The selection of food-producing plants can
ensure the presence of birds year-round.
To attract and maintain a bird population, a habitat should provide (1)
food, (2) cover, (3) nesting areas, and (4) water. Ornamental trees and
shrubs can supply the necessary cover (shelter) and nesting areas. Many ornamental plants can
satisfy more than one habitat requirement. For instance, multi-stem plants that form a dense
canopy will satisfy the needs for nesting and also provide cover.
The food source for birds should be supplied, as much as possible,
by the trees and shrubs in the
yard. To maximize the natural food source, select plants to ensure an
available food source year-round. The use of trees and shrubs native to
your locale will help ensure that appropriate fruits
and berries are available for the local bird population. If the
landscape does not supply food
during certain periods, you can supplement with commercial mixes of
bird seed. This will help
keep birds in the vicinity of your yard. Some birds eat a wide variety
of seeds while others prefer
one or two types. The seeds that appeal to the majority of birds are
sunflower, proso millet, and
peanut kernels.
Birds require a place of cover or shelter if they are to become long-term residents. They require
protection from inclement weather (sun, heat, wind, and rain) and natural predators. This is why
the multi-stem plants that form a dense canopy are preferred by birds. The dense canopy also
provides an ideal environment for nesting. Since birds require shelter year-round, the yard should
have a mix of deciduous and evergreen plants. Evergreen plants include broadleaf evergreens,
such as holly, and conifers, such as red cedar. Several references suggest that at least 25% of the
trees and shrubs should be evergreen.
A source of fresh water is also necessary to maintain your bird population. The water source
should be shallow (no more than 2"-3" deep) and replaced on a regular basis. Running water,
such as a shallow fountain, is the ideal water source. The water source should be elevated or in
the middle of an open area to minimize predation by cats and other animals. An elevated bird
bath or fountain is ideal.
A recommended list of trees and shrubs to enhance the bird population follows. Attributes that
must be considered before selecting the trees/shrubs for your yard include, (1) the habitat element
provided, (2) fruiting season, (3) deciduous (loses leaves in winter) or evergreen, and (4) size of
mature tree (to fit with available space).
| Trees and Shrubs for Attracting Birds |
| Southeastern Trees & Shrubs |
Provides: |
Fruiting Season |
Deciduous
or Evergreen |
Size (sm,
med, lg) |
| Cover |
Food |
| Beech |
|
X |
Fall, winter |
D |
M |
| Black cherry |
X |
X |
Summer |
D |
M |
| Black gum |
X |
X |
Summer |
D |
L |
| Blueberry |
X |
X |
Summer |
D |
S |
| Dogwood |
X |
X |
Fall, winter |
D |
M |
| Elderberry |
|
X |
Summer |
D |
S |
| Hawthorn |
X |
X |
Spring |
D |
M |
| Holly |
X |
X |
Winter, spring |
E |
M |
| Japanese yew |
X |
X |
Summer, fall |
E |
M |
| Magnolia |
X |
X |
Summer |
E |
L |
| Mulberry |
|
X |
Spring, Summer |
D |
L |
| Nandina |
X |
X |
Fall, winter |
E |
S |
| Oaks |
X |
X |
Fall |
D |
L |
| Pines |
|
X |
Spring, summer, fall |
E |
L |
| Pyracantha |
X |
X |
Fall, winter |
E |
S |
| Red cedar |
X |
X |
Fall, winter |
E |
M |
| Red maple |
X |
|
Spring |
D |
L |
| River birch |
X |
|
Summer, fall |
D |
M |
| Sumac |
|
X |
Fall, winter |
D |
M |
| Sweet gum |
|
X |
Summer, fall |
D |
L |
| Vibernum |
X |
X |
Winter |
E |
S |
| Wax myrtle |
X |
X |
Summer, fall |
E |
M |
To make your yard more suitable for birds, conduct an inventory of trees/shrubs in your
landscape and develop a table similar to that in this article. From this list, a) determine the mix
of evergreen and deciduous trees, b) look at the time of fruiting and identify season(s) without
food supply, and c) ensure that adequate cover and nesting habitat is provided. The following are
two examples of possible situations in your yard and how to use the chart:
- You have very few evergreen trees/shrubs (hence minimal shelter in the winter) but also have
only small areas for additional plants. Select plants that are classified as evergreen (E) and are
small sized at maturity. These plants (red cedar, nandina, viburnum, pyracantha, Japanese
yew, holly, and wax myrtle) are relatively small trees.
- You need a food source for the spring but have limited yard area available. An excellent
solution is to plant hawthorn, especially mayhaws. They are a small multi-stem shrub that bear
fruit in the spring and attract a wide variety of birds.
In most instances, you will find that the addition of a few carefully selected plants can increase
the bird population in your yard.
Fact Sheet H-91-008
The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State College, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and
counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational
programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin,
age, sex or disability.
An Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Organization Committed to a Diverse
Work Force
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June
30, 1914, The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.
Gale A. Buchanan, Dean and Director
