Landscaping to Attract Birds

We were recently asked to do a landscape design in Frisco for a self-proclaimed “bird enthusiast”. The customer requested a backyard sanctuary to serve as a retreat for their family but also attract many species of birds throughout each season. Over the years designing residential landscapes, we have been asked to focus our designs on many things: butterflies, Texas native plants, drought-tolerant and low-maintenance plants. Always eager to learn new ways to landscape, we accepted the challenge with great enthusiasm and dove head first into the world of what we have come to know as “birdscaping”.

Birdscaping, while not a recognized term in the dictionary, is any landscape design done with birds in mind. Birdscaping would not simply be adding a bird bath or hummingbird feeder to your existing landscape. Instead, birdscaping considers how to attract, feed and protect birds through the selection of particular plants, the arrangement of those plants and the addition of any special featured item such as a fountain or a feeder. When looking to attract birds to your landscape, you must consider three very important aspects of a bird’s life.

FOOD

Providing birds with a source of nourishment year-round will give them a reason to take up residence. While supplying bird seed in a feeder offers something, the birds will appreciate you much more if you select trees and shrubs that provide them with fruits and berries each season. Using as many native plants as possible will ensure that the fruit/berry supply will be appropriate for the local bird population.

WATER

Giving the birds a source of fresh water is essential for attracting birds. The water source should be shallow (up to 3 inches at most), clean and available year-round. A bird bath is an easy option, but does demand consistent cleaning. Consider adding a water source with running water, such as a shallow fountain. Your water source should be elevated and be in an open area to keep the birds safe from predators.

SHELTER

While food and water give the birds a reason to visit your landscaping, unless they find shelter and a safe nesting place, they will not stay for long. Birds need protection from the weather as well as from their predators. You can meet this need through both plant selection and layout. Birds prefer multi-stem plants that provide a dense canopy as it provides shelter as well as great opportunities for nesting. If you want the birds to stay year-round, you should have a mix of both deciduous and evergreen plants. Layer and group your plants, providing shelter at different heights. Varying plant heights also allows the birds to move easily from one location to another. Again, using native plants whenever possible will provide the birds with plants they recognize as shelter options.

Food, water and shelter are the essential components to consider when “birdscaping”. However, don’t forget that beauty will play a key role in not only attracting birds to your landscaping, but providing a space that allows you to enjoy the birds as well. Imagine what your landscaping will look like to a bird flying overhead. Including a variety of plants such as groundcovers, grasses, flowers, vines, shrubs and trees will serve to attract both you and birds to your landscape. Just as you plan to provide the birds with a place to come and relax, consider carving out a space for a path and a bench seat for you to relax as well.