Wildlife

Habitat

Make a home for birds, butterflies,

and nature's other creatures.

In your backyard

Habitat is a combination of food,

water, shelter, and space arranged to

meet the needs of wildlife. Even a

small yard can be landscaped to

attract birds, butterflies, beneficial

insects, and small animals.Trees,

shrubs, and other plants provide

shelter and food for wildlife.

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

by the tallest tree branches; understory vegetation consisting of smaller

trees, shrubs, and vines; the floor

which is often dominated by lowgrowing groundcovers; and the basement where a variety of organisms

exist in the soil. Different wildlife

species live in each of these zones,

so numerous habitats can be provided on a small piece of land.

Trees and shrubs are the backbone

of any landscaping design and are

important for wildlife shelter. Many

tree and shrub species are excellent

sources of food for wildlife. Proper

selection of plant material can meet

both the aesthetic needs of the

homeowner and the food and shelter

needs of wildlife. Remember that

you are part of the habitat! 

is a cooperative project of:

USDA Natural Resources

Conservation Service

National Association of

Conservation Districts

Wildlife Habitat Council

April 1998

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9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 

One in a series of 10 tip sheets on backyard conservation

Backyard

Conservation

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.
Steps to create

habitat for wildlife

1. Identify all existing plants. Note:

• Condition of the plants and their

locations.

• How much shade the trees and

shrubs provide.

• Are trees evergreen or do they

drop their leaves in the fall? 

• Do they provide valuable food

sources?

2. Make a sketch of your yard noting

all existing plants, buildings, utilities,

and pathways.You may even consider removing some plants. In some

cases, trees have been planted too

close to buildings or have grown

much larger than the previous

owner envisioned. Some species may

be of little wildlife value and may

not be particularly attractive. Once

you have identified existing plants

you want to save, start exploring

options for plants that will work

well with these species.The existing

plants around your yard may be adequate to attract some wildlife, but a

few changes can effectively enhance

the existing habitat. Diversity in the

landscape is necessary. Some plants

provide food but very little cover;

others provide cover but little food.

3. Add trees, shrubs, flowers, and

groundcovers to your plan. Not all

the planting needs to be done at

once. If money or time is limited,

consider it a work in progress.

4. Plant a variety of trees first. Select

evergreen species for year-round

cover and shelter. Select fruit or nutbearing plants for a food source.

Native species are well suited for

providing wildlife habitat because

they are adapted to the local soil, climate, and wildlife. Other considerations for choosing and placement:

• Eventual size.Whether they are

evergreen or deciduous (trees

that drop their leaves). Deciduous

trees planted on the south side of

a house will provide summer

shade, but will not completely

block winter sun.

• Neighboring properties.

• Flowering and fruiting habit.

Select plants that flower and bear

fruit at different times of the year.

Some shrubs that produce berries

can provide food throughout the

year.Trees with nuts and fruit can

also provide seasonal foods. (See

the tip sheet on tree planting for

suggested species.)

5. Fill in with smaller shade-tolerant

understory trees and shrubs. Add

these to an existing landscape to

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

shelter.A native wildflower garden

provides the same function. Even on

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-manicured 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.

BACKYARD Wildlife Habitat

2

Many plans are available for

building bird houses and other

shelter for backyard wildlife.
Landscaping for

birds

Food and cover are essential for the

survival of all species. Loss of suitable nesting sites is a major factor in

the decline of some bird species. In

the wild, many species nest in cavities of dead trees.With the loss of

hedgerows in some parts of the

country and the removal of dead

trees in towns, natural nesting sites

are often limited.Also, some highly

competitive, non-native species of

birds have taken over some of the

existing nesting sites once occupied

by native birds.

Bird species are extremely variable

in their habits. Some like deeply

wooded areas; others prefer open

fields and meadows. Many species

are year-round residents, while others such as the cedar waxwing

appear only for a few days a year

during migration. Other species such

as sparrows, blue jays, cardinals,

robins, juncos, and chickadees are

highly adaptable and found in many

environments.

Many people are not aware of the

value of dead, dying, and hollow

trees, as well as logs on the ground,

for birds and other wildlife. Dead

trees provide homes to more than

400 species of birds, mammals, and

amphibians. Fish, plants, and fungi

also benefit from dead and dying

trees. Consider leaving standing dead

and dying trees in your yard unless

they pose a human safety or property hazard, and use old logs and

stumps in gardens and landscaping.

Additional food and

shelter for birds

Few yards will be able to supply sufficient food or shelter for a variety of

birds all year long. However, you can

improve shelter and food supplies by

building or purchasing feeders and

houses, and by setting out certain

foods.

Most bird species have specific nesting requirements. Because of these

requirements, your yard may not

accommodate certain species. For

instance, Eastern bluebirds prefer

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

wooded areas.

Before setting out nesting houses,

find out which species are common

in your area and can be encouraged

to nest in your yard. Make or buy a

bird house specifically designed for

the bird you wish to attract.The size

of the entrance hole is critical to

prevent the eggs and young from

Trees for birds 

American beech (Fagus grandifolia)

American holly (Ilex opaca)

Balsam fir (Abies balsamea)

Black cherry (Prunus serotina)

Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica)

Crabapple (Malus spp.)

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)

Hawthorns (Crataegus spp.)

Hickories (Carya spp.)

Live oak (Quercus virginiana)

Oaks (Quercus spp.)

Red mulberry (Morus rubra)

Shrubs for birds 

Common juniper (Juniperus communis)

Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)

Hollies--both evergreen and deciduous

species (Ilex spp.)

Pyracantha (Pyracantha spp.)

Red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera)

Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)

Sumacs (Rhus spp.)

Viburnums (Viburnum spp.)

Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

Vines for birds

American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens)

Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera semper

virens and related spp.)

Strawberry (Fragaria spp.)

Trumpet creeper or vine

(Campis radicans)

Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus

quinquefolia)

Wild grape (Vitis spp.)

Nectar plants for hummingbirds,

butterflies, or bees 

Aster (Aster spp.)

Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)

Butterfly bush (Buddleia alternifolia)

Butterfly weed and other milkweeds

(Asclepias spp.)

Clover and other legumes

Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)

Bee balm (Monarda spp.)

Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)

Delphinium (Delphinium spp.)

Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)

Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)

Jewel weed (Impatiens capensis or 

I.pallida)

Lobelia (Lobelia spp. )

Lupine (Lupinus spp.)

Penstemon (Penstemon spp. )

Phlox (Phlox spp. )

Salvia (Salvia spp. )

Trumpet creeper or vine 

(Campis radicans)

Weigela (Weigela spp. )

Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)

BACKYARD Wildlife Habitat

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Plant Species for birds

Below are some plant species to consider for wildlife habitat. Check with a local

nursery on plants suitable for your area. Some of these plants, while suited for

wildlife, may have characteristics such as shallow roots or weak limbs that make

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.
BACKYARD Wildlife Habitat

4

being destroyed by larger birds--

always check a list of appropriate

hole sizes. Other considerations

include box size, height above the

ground, direction the entrance hole

faces, and amount of sunlight. Boxes

may need baffles or other protective

devices to limit access by cats and

other predators.A good reference

publication is Homes for Birds by

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

Office of Migratory Bird

Management. It is available at two

internet sites:

www.fws.gov/~r9mbmo/pamphlet/

pamphlets or http://birding.miningco.com/msub12.htm.

Many species of birds can be attracted by a variety of feed in different

styles of feeders.There are many

styles of bird feeders available, from

window-mounted feeders to those

that hang from branches and stands.

Many birds will readily eat right off

the ground. Bird feed comes in a

variety of choices; however, sunflower seeds appeal to many birds, as

well as small mammals.

Woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees are especially attracted to suet.

Citrus fruit, chopped apples and

bananas, and raisins will be eaten by

numerous species, including robins,

titmouse, nuthatches, woodpeckers,

and mockingbirds.

Feeders may also attract wildlife

species you may not want to feed

such as starlings, crows, and squirrels. Feeder type and placement and

the type of food can help deter

unwanted species.

Unlike many other species of birds,

hummingbirds rely on nectar as their

source of food.These tiny, migratory

birds are commonly seen in the summer in northern states gathering nectar from colorful flowers.

Hummingbirds are typically attracted

to red and yellow tubular flowers,

although they frequently visit others.

Hummingbird feeders can be purchased and filled with a sugar-water

solution, consisting of 1 part sugar to

4 parts water. Every 3 to 4 days,

wash the feeder with soap and

water, rinse thoroughly, and add new

sugar water.

Food and shelter

for butterflies

Colorful butterflies and moths add

beauty and interest to your backyard.

There are hundreds of different

species of butterflies and moths in

North America. Butterflies and moths

are insects.They hatch into larvae

(commonly referred to as caterpillars), eventually become pupae, and

develop into colorful adults. How

long the process takes depends on

the species and the climate.

Butterflies and moths are amazingly

particular in their food choices.The

larval stage of the butterfly may

require food quite different from

that of the adult. Some larvae consume tremendous amounts of plant

material, seemingly devouring plants

overnight.A common example in the

garden is the tomato hornworm

which rapidly strips tomato plants of

their leaves. An equally voracious,

but beautiful, larvae is the Eastern

black swallowtail which is found

only on plants in the carrot family,

including celery, carrot, dill, and parsley.A close relative is the Eastern

tiger swallowtail that eats the foliage

of wild cherry, birch, poplar, ash, and

tulip trees.

Adult butterflies require food in liquid form such as plant-produced nectar.They get some of it from flowers

and from juices of extra-ripe fruit.

The types of flowering plants you

grow will determine the kinds of

butterflies you attract to your backyard. In addition to the plants listed

for hummingbirds and butterflies,

butterfly bush is especially attractive

for butterflies. Find out what species

are common in your area and use

plants they like. Nectar feeders can

be placed in the yard to attract butterflies. Do not use insecticides near

plants for butterflies. Learn to recognize larval and egg forms.That large

green and black caterpillar eating

your dill may one day turn into the

gorgeous butterfly you were hoping

to attract!

Butterflies, like all insects, are most

active when temperatures are

warmer.While moths are commonly

found at night, most butterflies are

active on sunny, warm days.

Butterflies will benefit from a basking site where they can warm up on

cool mornings.Add a light-colored

rock or concrete garden sculpture as

a basking site. Butterflies also need a

source of water.A shallow dish of

water or a depression in a rock that

retains water is all they need.

Attracting bees

In the United States, there are nearly

5,000 different species of native

bees. Most of them are solitary,

friendly bees that nest in holes in

the ground or burrows in twigs and

dead tree limbs.These bees do not

have hives to protect them, so they

are not aggressive and rarely sting.

Bumblebees, carpenter bees, sweat

bees, leafcutter bees, digger bees,

and others pollinate many different

kinds of plants.They play a critical

role in healthy wild plant communities and gardens.About 30 percent of

our diet is the direct result of a pollinating visit by a bee to a flowering

fruit tree or vegetable plant.

Providing bee habitat in your yard

can increase the quality and quantity

of your fruits and vegetables.

Bees are extremely sensitive to many

commonly applied insecticides. If

you must use chemical insecticides

in your garden, apply them in the

evening when bees are less likely to

be active.
Bees are attracted to most flowering

plants, and are especially fond of

blue and yellow flowers.Try planting

your garden to have different species

blooming in the spring, summer, and

fall.

Bee houses

A good use for untreated scrap lumber (at least 3 to 5 inches thick) is to

drill holes (from 18⁄ -inch to 516⁄ -inch in

diameter) about 90 percent of the

way into the thick wooden block.

Space the holes about 12⁄ -inch to 34⁄ -

inch apart.The 5

16⁄ -inch holes work

best as homes for orchard bees

which are excellent pollinators of

fruit trees. Hang your bee blocks

under the eaves of your house or

garden shed, protected from direct

sun and rain.

Attracting bats to

your yard

Bats are a beneficial and interesting

mammal. Bats are the single most

important controller of night-flying

insects, including mosquitoes, moths,

and beetles. For example, a single little brown bat can catch up to 600

mosquitoes in an hour.Watching bats

fly around light posts catching bugs

can be an interesting nighttime activity.

A bat house in your yard will help

attract bats and provide them with

much-needed roosting habitat.The

house should be placed on a pole at

least 15 feet high in a spot that

receives sun at least 4 to 6 hours a

day.Tree trunks are usually too shady

for bat boxes. Some bat species such

as gray bats, red bats, and hoary bats

will use shrubs and trees for roosting

under loose bark or in cavities.

Many species of bats migrate in the

fall and hibernate throughout the

winter months in caves, mines, or

buildings. If disturbed during hibernation, their metabolism is increased,

depleting fat reserves and reducing

their chances of survival.

As with all wildlife, bats should be

watched, but not handled or chased.

Generally, bats are shy of humans

and will not attack or fly after a person. However, if caught or picked up

from the ground, a bat may bite.

Attracting reptiles

and amphibians

Toads, frogs, lizards, turtles, and

snakes all have a place in the backyard.While many people may not

want some of these animals in their

yards, most species are harmless and

often quite beneficial--feeding on

destructive insects or rodents.

Reptiles and amphibians are coldblooded animals.Their body temperature rises and falls as the surrounding temperatures change. Because of

this, these animals need a sunny

basking spot to warm up in the

morning.They also need a shady,

cool spot to spend time during the

heat of the day and for protection

from predators.

Shelter for reptiles and amphibians is

easy to provide. Several rocks piled

in a sunny spot will provide basking

sites. Consider planting shade-tolerant groundcovers under trees and

leaving a thick layer of leaves to provide cool shelter. Stumps, logs, and

rock piles in a shady spot can be

valuable.

Water for wildlife

Clean, fresh water is as important to

birds, bats, butterflies, and other

wildlife as it is for people.Water in a

saucer, bird bath, or backyard pond is

adequate for wildlife. Be sure to

change the water every few days to

keep it fresh. In hot weather, it may

be necessary to refill the container

daily.

Logs, rocks, and water-holding structures provide drinking and basking

habitat for turtles, butterflies, and

songbirds. Stones with depressions

that collect water will help attract

butterflies.

A word about

attracting mammals

Squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, raccoons, opossums, skunks, woodchucks, mice, and deer are commonly found in many urban environments.These species are highly

adaptable and, in many cases, are

becoming unwanted visitors rather

than welcome guests.

As with all wildlife, cover is essential

for the survival of these species.

Small brush piles intended for

amphibians and reptiles will also

provide shelter for rabbits and mice.

Chipmunks and woodchucks are

adept at digging their own burrows.

Trees may provide shelter for squirrels, raccoons, and opossums.

Food set out for birds may attract

many of these animals. Squirrels,

chipmunks, and mice will readily eat

birdseed. Raccoons will feed on suet.

Woodchucks and rabbits will eat a

variety of vegetation including garden vegetables and flowering plants.

Deer are browsers and will nibble at

trees, shrubs, hay and grain.

A few precautions can be taken to

avoid unwanted encounters with

these animals.Avoid setting out food

that may attract scavengers such as

raccoons. Keep garbage cans in a

secure shed or garage or use metal

cans that scavengers cannot chew

through. Check the exterior of your

house for loose or rotted boards that

could allow access by mice or other

rodents. Remember that these animals are wild, and if threatened they

can bite. Raccoons can be particularly aggressive.All these species can

carry diseases. Do not handle them.

BACKYARD Wildlife Habitat

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BACKYARD Wildlife Habitat

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Laws vary from state to state on

wildlife issues. If you have questions

or concerns about wildlife, check

with your state's Department of

Natural Resources or Conservation

Department before taking action.

Backyard habitat

programs

The National Wildlife Federation

(NWF) sponsors a certification program designed to help individuals

plan and apply a wildlife habitat plan

for a home site or small acreage. On

request, NWF will send you an application package and instructions for

its Backyard Wildlife Habitat

Program. If your application and plan

meet the criteria, you will receive a

certificate and, if you wish, a sign to

show your commitment to wildlife

conservation. Contact:

Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program

National Wildlife Federation

8925 Leesburg Pike

Vienna,VA 22184-0001

or http://www.nwf.org/nwf

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s

Office of Migratory Bird Management

works with groups and individuals to

conserve and manage migratory

birds.This agency offers information

about backyard habitats for birds and

wildlife. Several pamphlets are available: Backyard Bird Feeding,

Backyard Bird Problems, Attract

Birds, Homes for Birds, and

Migratory Songbird Conservation.

(www.fws.gov/~r9mbmo/pamphlet/pamphlets.html). For more

information contact:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Office of Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20240

The Natural Resources Conservation

Service, National Association of

Conservation Districts, and Wildlife

Habitat Council encourage you to

sign up in the “Backyard

Conservation” program.To participate, use some of the conservation

practices in your backyard that are

showcased in this series of fact

sheets--tree planting, wildlife habitat,

backyard pond, backyard wetland,

composting, mulching, nutrient management, terracing, water conservation, and pest management.Then

simply fill in the Backyard

Conservation customer response

form or call 1-888-LANDCARE.

On the farm

When most of us think of natural

resource protection or wildlife habitat, images of vast expanses of open

land and unbounded water probably

come to mind.

But to hundreds of species of animals and insects, home is where

they find it. Many of them would

love to find their home in your backyard, just as many have found a

home in the large backyards of

America’s farmers and ranchers.

As a matter of fact, private landowners provide the bulk of the food and

habitat for wildlife in this country.

They deserve the credit for making a

home for wildlife on a whopping 70

percent of the land.

Farmers are installing grass, tree, and

shrub plantings; ponds; riparian

buffer strips; wetlands; and other

wildlife habitat at record rates.

On the farm, sometimes the tree,

shrub and grass plantings don't offer

enough food or cover for wildlife. So

some farmers plant food plots especially for wildlife, or put up structures geese and ducks and birds can

use as protected nests.

Some farmers also provide bird and

bat houses, while others plant or

leave food plots of corn, millet, or

other grains specifically for wildlife.

Like your neighbors in the country,

you’ll soon discover that by making

your yard more hospitable to nature,

you’ll add pleasure to your life, and

harmony around your home.

Careful thought,

such as using

branch protectors

for hanging bird

food, will create a

more lasting backyard habitat.

Printed by the National Association of Conservation Districts 1-800-825-5547