A carefully crafted landscape can be a sanctuary for birds no matter what its size, gardening zone, or season. If it is thoughtfully and deliberately done, birds can love a landscape year-round and can fine all they need to thrive within the property lines. Welcome to birdscaping!

Birdscaping Definition

(noun) Landscaping that deliberately keeps birds in mind with plants, layouts, and other features to attract and nurture them. The best birdscaping meets all of birds’ basic needs for food, water, shelter, and nesting sites in natural ways, though supplemental features may also be included.

Key features of birdscaping include the use of locally native plants that birds will more easily recognize, lessening the amount of lawn in favor of layered plants, and choosing layouts and plants that promote responsible water usage. Birdscaped yards often feature thick clumps or beds of plants that provide secure shelter for a variety of birds at different heights, and multiple types of plants – trees, shrubs, flowers, vines, and more – are essential for the best birdscaping. Pots and containers can be part of birdscaping just as easily as in-ground plants.

Birdscaped yards are not always neat or excessively cultivated. Less pruning can provide better habitat, and leaving leaf litter in place or not dead-heading flowerbeds also provides food and shelter for birds at different times of year. Dead trees may be left in place when they can remain safe, and extra features such as a brush pile may be added. Ultimately, the degree of “neatness” is up to the birder – it’s their yard, and the birds won’t mind either way.

In addition to the natural plants and features, supplemental accessories can also meet birds’ needs and foster more feathered diversity. Feeders, baths, houses, and other items are popular and help attract even more birds.

Birdscaping projects can be large or small, costly or inexpensive. Many birders take years to fully birdscape their yards, and even after the plan is complete, changing the landscaping periodically can attract even more birds year after year.

Pronunciation:

BURD-skape-eeeng – Rhymes with (third-curd-stirred)-(cape-vape-drape)-(ming-ring-sting)

Also Known As:

Bird-Friendly Landscaping