Key considerations Species and the birds they attract For more information Also on our web site Trees and shrubs for birds Whether you're interested in gardening to attract birds on your own property or are involved with community projects to create habitat for wildlife, choosing the right planting material is important. Native plants are always to be preferred over non-native but, unfortunately, it is still difficult to find a nursery that stocks more than a few indigenous species. Compilations of trees and shrubs for attracting wildlife usually suggest cultivated and exotic species along with native ones. They often also include varieties that will not grow in this area. The following list presents local, native species that provide food, cover and nest sites for birds, and would be useful in an urban/suburban setting. Rural landowners would find their choices even greater. Trees versus shrubs — Shrubs are often described as having multiple stems while trees have one. However, the line blurs and many woody plants we think of as shrubs are in fact small trees. In some cases they may be better suited for city planting given their relatively small size. KEY CONSIDERATIONS Think native — Although exotic ornamentals are widely planted and can attract wildlife, native species do a better job in the long run. By planting non-native species we always run the risk of these aliens escaping to surrounding habitats and out-competing native species. Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula), Glossy Buckthorn (R. cathartica), and Tartarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera tartarica) have been widely planted in gardens, and are particularly invasive. They now frequently form the dominant shrub communities in many local natural areas. In some urban woodlots, native maples have been almost replaced by Norway Maple, which produces abundant and fast-growing seedlings. Other common invaders from our gardens include Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), Japanese Knotweed (Polygynum cuspidatum), Chinese or Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila) and Barberry (Berberis vulgaris). Think thickets — Groups of trees and shrubs provide better wildlife habitat; even a small thicket of 3–5 trees underplanted with 3–6 shrubs is better than single trees spaced far apart. Variety is good. Different species provide different roosting and nesting habitats and also supply a greater variety of food, either directly by their fruits or indirectly by attracting a richer cocktail of insects. Thickets of a single species are not as attractive as those of mixed species. Think hedgerows — Hedgerows, planted with the right mix of shrubs and trees can provide food, cover, nesting sites, and a corridor for safe passage from one habitat to another (Hanrahan 1999). [See also Creating a hedgerow for wildlife] Many species of birds thrive in "edge" habitats, taking advantage of two types of plant communities. Hedgerows are, in effect, long strips of edge habitat. Think snags — Where it is safe to do so, leaving standing dead trees (snags or wildlife trees) is one sure way to attract a variety of birds that both feed and nest in them (Hanrahan 1994). [See also Wildlife trees] Think dual purpose — Trees and shrubs that offer both food and cover (for roosting and nesting) are the best value for you and the birds you want to attract. Think site conditions — You need to know the conditions in your garden. Is it well-drained? Is it very dry or very damp? Sunny or shady? Is there room for several big trees or will there be potential problems? Suburban gardeners can often get away with planting more and bigger trees than urban dwellers, but this is not a hard and fast rule. All these considerations influence the types of species you can successfully plant. SPECIES AND THE BIRDS THEY ATTRACT I have listed only those species of birds that are likely to be found in urban settings, either because they breed there or are found during migration. Thus birds such as Ruffed Grouse, which feed on the buds of many trees but rarely enter urban areas, are not included. I have not included mammals. In our urbanscape we can take it for granted that squirrels (Gray and Red) will be attracted to many of the same trees that birds are. Cottontail rabbits are becoming increasingly common in many residential areas of Ottawa and of course we have Skunks and Raccoons, and various other and sometimes surprising four-legged neighbours. I've noted whether it is seeds, nuts, sap or fruit that primarily attracts birds. An asterisk (*) next to a bird species indicates that the tree/shrub is especially important as a food source. The list has been divided into species that grow best in sun and those that can tolerate shade to partial shade. Soil conditions and average height are also given. Some species can tolerate both dry and moist sites and this is also noted with the preferred conditions given first. Soil conditions: W = wet, M = moist, D = dry Full to part sun Speckled Alder, Alnus incana, ssp. rugosa Height to 8 m [M,W], SEEDS Shrub or small tree. Common Redpoll American Goldfinch Pine Siskin Paper Birch, Betula papyrifera Height to 25 m [M,D], SEEDS Short-lived trees. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (sap) Black-capped Chickadee American Tree Sparrow Fox Sparrow* Common Redpoll* Pine Siskin* Common or Canadian Elder, Sambucus canadensis Height to 3 m [M,D], FRUIT Good nest tree. Eastern Kingbird Eastern Phoebe Swainson's Thrush American Robin Gray Catbird American Elm, Ulmus americana Height to 35 m [W,M], SEEDS Less important than many trees for wildlife, but still provides a food source. Tolerates some shade but best in full sun. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (sap) Rose-breasted Grosbeak Yellow-rumped Warbler Purple Finch* American Goldfinch House Sparrow Hackberry, Celtis occidentalis Height to 15 m [W,M,D], FRUIT A good winter food source for many birds as long as the fruit remains. Tolerates some shade, but best in sunny locations. American Robin** (if overwintering) Cedar Waxwing* Evening Grosbeak* Eastern Phoebe American Crow Eastern Bluebird Gray Catbird Northern Cardinal Hawthorns, Crataegus spp. Height to 12 m [D,M], FRUIT Provides good nesting and roosting sites. Best planted in thickets of more than 3. Used in winter by: Cedar Waxwing** Pine Grosbeak Used in late summer by: American Robin Fox Sparrow Red Maple, Acer rubrum Height to 25 m [M,D], SEEDS, BUDS, FLOWERS Good nest tree. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (sap) Red-breasted Nuthatch Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pine Grosbeak Evening Grosbeak Oaks Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa Height to 15 m [M,D], ACORNS Can tolerate some shade. Food, cover, nesting material. Red Oak, Q. rubra Height to 25 m [D], ACORNS A large number of birds are known to use oaks to a greater or lesser extent. The following are species for which the acorns are very important: Blue Jay White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Thrasher Common Grackle Pines Jack Pine, Pinus banksiana Height to 20 m [D], SEEDS White Pine, P. strobus Height to 30 m [D, M], SEEDS All pines provide valuable food for many species of wildlife. Mourning Dove* (also nests in pines) Northern Flicker Black-capped Chickadee* Red-breasted Nuthatch* White-breasted Nuthatch* Brown Creeper* Brown Thrasher Dark-eyed Junco House Finch White-winged Crossbill* Pine Siskin American Goldfinch Evening Grosbeak* Downy Serviceberry, Amelanchier arborea Height to 12 m [D], FRUIT Shrub or small tree. Particularly important for its early summer fruiting. American Crow Black-capped Chickadee American Robin Eastern Bluebird Hermit Thrush Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Scarlet Tanager Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak Baltimore Oriole Staghorn Sumac, Rhus typhina Height to 6 m [M, D], FRUIT Important winter sustenance. Not good for small gardens. Thicket forming shrub. Common Crow Black-capped Chickadee American Robin Hermit Thrush Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher European Starling Northern Cardinal Viburnums High-bush Cranberry, Viburnum trilobum Height 1–4 m [M,W], FRUIT Tolerates some shade. Nannyberry, V. lentago Height to 12 m [W,M], FRUIT Shrub or small tree. These viburnums provide an emergency food supply in winter when other fruit has vanished; very good for cover and nesting sites. Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Evening Grosbeak Wild Cherries Chokecherry, Prunus virginiana Height 2–3 m (occasionally to 12 m) [M,D], FRUIT Will tolerate some shade. Pin Cherry, P. pensylvanica Height to 12 m [D,M], FRUIT Also known as Bird Cherry, an indication of its attractiveness to birds. Black Cherry, P. serotina Height to 22 m [D,M], FRUIT The following list shows only some of the many bird species that use the Prunus complex as a food source. Eastern Kingbird Blue Jay American Crow American Robin* Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher* European Starling Cedar Waxwing* Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak* Baltimore Oriole Evening Grosbeak* Shade to part shade Beech, Fagus grandifolia Height to 25 m [M], NUTS Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (sap) Blue Jay* Black-capped Chickadee White-breasted Nuthatch Rose-breasted Grosbeak Common Grackle Purple Finch (buds) Eastern White Cedar, Thuja occidentalis Height to 15 m [M,D], BUDS, SEEDS Will also grow in sun. Most important for cover and nesting. Common Redpoll Pine Siskin Dogwoods Pagoda or Alternate Leaf Dogwood, Cornus alternifolia Height to 12 m [M,D], FRUIT Tree or shrub. Red Osier Dogwood, C. stolonifera or C. sericea Height 1–3 m [M], FRUIT Shrub. Dogwoods provide cover and nesting sites; fruit ripens in late summer. Ninety species of birds have been recorded using C. stolonifera as a food source. Some of these species are listed below: Eastern Kingbird* Red-eyed Vireo Warbling Vireo Eastern Bluebird Hermit Thrush Wood Thrush* American Robin* Gray Catbird Cedar Waxwing Brown Thrasher Northern Cardinal Evening Grosbeak* Pine Grosbeak* Hazelnut, Corylus cornuta Height 3–4 m [M,D], NUTS Less attractive to birds than to mammals such as chipmunks and red squirrels, but makes a good nest shrub. Sugar Maple, A. saccharum Height to 35 m [M], SEEDS, BUDS, FLOWERS Provides good nesting sites. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (sap) Red-breasted Nuthatch Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pine Grosbeak Evening Grosbeak Red-berried Elder, Sambucus pubens Height to 4 m [D], FRUIT Eastern Kingbird Eastern Phoebe Swainson's Thrush American Robin Gray Catbird Viburnums Downy Arrowwood, Viburnum rafinesquianum Height to 1.5 m [D], FRUIT Hobblebush, Viburnum alnifolium Height to 2 m [M], FRUIT Good nest site. Hermit Thrush American Robin Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Northern Cardinal Evening Grosbeak FOR MORE INFORMATION Blouin, Glen. 1992. Weeds of the Woods. Small Trees and Shrubs of the Eastern Forest. Goose Lane Editions. Chambers, Brenda, Karen Legasy and Cathy Bentley. 1996. Forest Plants of Central Ontario. Lone Pine. Eastman, John. 1992. Forest and Thicket. Stackpole Books. Farrar, John L. 1995. Trees in Canada. Fitzhenry & Whiteside. Hanrahan, Christine. 1994. The Importance of Snags and Downed Logs to Wildlife. Trail & Landscape 28(4): 115-123. Hanrahan, Christine. 1999. In Praise of Hedgerows. Trail & Landscape 33(3): 126-130. Martin, Alexander C., Herbert S. Zim and Arnold L. Nelson. 1951. American Wildlife & Plants. A Guide to Wildlife Food Habits. Dover Publications. Soper, James H. and Margaret L. Heimburger. 1982. Shrubs of Ontario. Royal Ontario Museum. ALSO ON OUR WEB SITE Creating a hedgerow for wildlife Wildlife trees Native trees and shrubs of the Ottawa region Attracting birds to your garden This page was revised on 28 February 2007 Text: Christine Hanrahan © Fletcher Wildlife Garden Our e-mail address