Establishing shelter for migratory birds is an easy but vital task. Provide cover for birds by planting shrubs and evergreen trees. Use landscaping scraps to create a thick brush pile of branches or a meandering rock wall. Disperse several sources of cover throughout the entire yard. Providing Nesting Habitat Finding adequate habitat to raise their young is becoming increasingly difficult for migratory birds.
Migratory birds vary widely in the type of habitat they require for nesting.
Most of the species that seem to be declining require large tracts of forest or grassland. Still, backyard habitat remains important. A good backyard habitat may encourage hummingbirds to nest in shrubs, phoebes to nest under the porch eaves, or a woodpecker to nest in the hollow of a dead tree. One of the most valuable contributions a private landowner can make is the protection and management of trees. Trees are a major source of insect prey for migratory birds, they are the seed banks of our future forest, and they provide nest sites for birds.