Wildlife Habitat Make a home for birds, butterflies, and nature's other creatures. In your backyard by the tallest tree branches; under- Trees and shrubs are the backbone story vegetation consisting of smaller of any landscaping design and are Habitat is a combination of food, trees, shrubs, and vines; the floor important for wildlife shelter. Many water, shelter, and space arranged to which is often dominated by low- tree and shrub species are excellent meet the needs of wildlife. Even a growing groundcovers; and the base- sources of food for wildlife. Proper small yard can be landscaped to ment where a variety of organisms selection of plant material can meet attract birds, butterflies, beneficial exist in the soil. Different wildlife both the aesthetic needs of the insects, and small animals.Trees, species live in each of these zones, homeowner and the food and shelter shrubs, and other plants provide so numerous habitats can be provid- needs of wildlife. Remember that shelter and food for wildlife. ed on a small piece of land. you are part of the habitat! The plants you use for food and cover will help determine the wildlife species attracted to your backyard. Nesting boxes, feeders, and watering sites can be added to improve the habitat. Planning your wildlife habitat Planning is necessary for attractive and productive wildlife habitat.You have both a horizontal area to work with--the size of your lot--as well as a vertical area that stretches from your soil to the treetops.The vertical area is composed of the canopy formed To attract wildlife to your backyard, choose and plant the trees, shrubs, and plants that offer the food and shelter that those species of wildlife need to survive. Add a water source, too. Backyard Conservation is a cooperative project of: USDA Natural Resources The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to Conservation Service all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, National Association of audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250- Conservation Districts 9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Wildlife Habitat Council April 1998 One in a series of 10 tip sheets on backyard conservation BACKYARD Wildlife Habitat Steps to create you want to save, start exploring mate, and wildlife. Other considera­ habitat for wildlife options for plants that will work tions for choosing and placement: well with these species.The existing • Eventual size.Whether they are 1. Identify all existing plants. Note: plants around your yard may be ade­ evergreen or deciduous (trees • Condition of the plants and their quate to attract some wildlife, but a that drop their leaves). Deciduous locations. few changes can effectively enhance trees planted on the south side of • How much shade the trees and the existing habitat. Diversity in the a house will provide summer shrubs provide. landscape is necessary. Some plants shade, but will not completely • Are trees evergreen or do they provide food but very little cover; block winter sun. drop their leaves in the fall? others provide cover but little food. • Neighboring properties. • Do they provide valuable food • Flowering and fruiting habit. sources? 3. Add trees, shrubs, flowers, and Select plants that flower and bear groundcovers to your plan. Not all fruit at different times of the year. 2. Make a sketch of your yard noting the planting needs to be done at Some shrubs that produce berries all existing plants, buildings, utilities, once. If money or time is limited, can provide food throughout the and pathways.You may even consid­ consider it a work in progress. year.Trees with nuts and fruit can er removing some plants. In some also provide seasonal foods. (See cases, trees have been planted too 4. Plant a variety of trees first. Select the tip sheet on tree planting for close to buildings or have grown evergreen species for year-round suggested species.) much larger than the previous cover and shelter. Select fruit or nut- owner envisioned. Some species may bearing plants for a food source. 5. Fill in with smaller shade-tolerant be of little wildlife value and may Native species are well suited for understory trees and shrubs. Add not be particularly attractive. Once providing wildlife habitat because these to an existing landscape to you have identified existing plants they are adapted to the local soil, cli- enhance the vertical structure that is common in natural landscapes. Many smaller trees and shrubs are colorful at spring flowering, and provide berries for fall and winter feed. 6. Flowering annuals (plants that live one growing season) and perennials (plants that live for more than a year) add color to the yard and can be added at any stage to attract birds and butterflies. If your yard is large, consider using part of it for tall native grasses that provide beauty, as well as a natural source of food and Many plans are available for shelter.A native wildflower garden building bird houses and other provides the same function. Even on shelter for backyard wildlife. a small lot, native wildflowers, as well as some common garden species, can provide habitat for a variety of birds and butterflies.Avoid straight lines and perfect symmetry. Natural habitat has curves and clumps of vegetation.Wildlife is not particularly attracted to a well-mani­ cured lawn.Wildlife is more likely to come out into the open for viewing when the boundary of the yard is designed and maintained as a retreat for animals. 2 BACKYARD Wildlife Habitat Plant Species for birds are year-round residents, while oth­ ers such as the cedar waxwing Below are some plant species to consider for wildlife habitat. Check with a local appear only for a few days a year nursery on plants suitable for your area. Some of these plants, while suited for during migration. Other species such wildlife, may have characteristics such as shallow roots or weak limbs that make as sparrows, blue jays, cardinals, them inappropriate for small urban properties--or they may not be winter hardy in all locations. Birds eat many flower seeds– depending on the species of bird. robins, juncos, and chickadees are highly adaptable and found in many Trees for birds Trumpet creeper or vine environments. American beech (Fagus grandifolia) (Campis radicans) American holly (Ilex opaca) Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus Many people are not aware of the Balsam fir (Abies balsamea) quinquefolia) value of dead, dying, and hollow Black cherry (Prunus serotina) Wild grape (Vitis spp.) trees, as well as logs on the ground, Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) for birds and other wildlife. Dead Crabapple (Malus spp.) Nectar plants for hummingbirds, trees provide homes to more than Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) butterflies, or bees 400 species of birds, mammals, and Hawthorns (Crataegus spp.) Aster (Aster spp.) amphibians. Fish, plants, and fungi Hickories (Carya spp.) Azalea (Rhododendron spp.) also benefit from dead and dying Live oak (Quercus virginiana) Butterfly bush (Buddleia alternifolia) trees. Consider leaving standing dead Oaks (Quercus spp.) Butterfly weed and other milkweeds and dying trees in your yard unless Red mulberry (Morus rubra) (Asclepias spp.) they pose a human safety or proper­ Clover and other legumes ty hazard, and use old logs and Shrubs for birds Coneflower (Echinacea spp.) stumps in gardens and landscaping. Common juniper (Juniperus communis) Bee balm (Monarda spp.) Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) Additional food and Hollies--both evergreen and deciduous Columbine (Aquilegia spp.) shelter for birds species (Ilex spp.) Delphinium (Delphinium spp.) Pyracantha (Pyracantha spp.) Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.) Few yards will be able to supply suf­ Red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) ficient food or shelter for a variety of Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) Jewel weed (Impatiens capensis or birds all year long. However, you can Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) I.pallida) improve shelter and food supplies by Sumacs (Rhus spp.) Lobelia (Lobelia spp. ) building or purchasing feeders and Viburnums (Viburnum spp.) Lupine (Lupinus spp.) houses, and by setting out certain Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) Penstemon (Penstemon spp. ) foods. Phlox (Phlox spp. ) Vines for birds Salvia (Salvia spp. ) Most bird species have specific nest­ American bittersweet (Celastrus scan- Trumpet creeper or vine ing requirements. Because of these dens) (Campis radicans) requirements, your yard may not Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera semper Weigela (Weigela spp. ) accommodate certain species. For virens and related spp.) Zinnia (Zinnia spp.) instance, Eastern bluebirds prefer Strawberry (Fragaria spp.) nesting sites that border open fields or lawns with a tree or fence post nearby to provide feeding perches. Chickadees prefer to nest in more trees in towns, natural nesting sites Landscaping for wooded areas. birds are often limited.Also, some highly competitive, non-native species of Food and cover are essential for the birds have taken over some of the Before setting out nesting houses, survival of all species. Loss of suit- existing nesting sites once occupied find out which species are common able nesting sites is a major factor in by native birds. in your area and can be encouraged the decline of some bird species. In to nest in your yard. Make or buy a the wild, many species nest in cavi­ Bird species are extremely variable bird house specifically designed for ties of dead trees.With the loss of in their habits.