Designing Habitats in Urban Environments - Design with the Desert: Conservation and Sustainable Development - page 388

22.3.1 Bird Habitats
It is important to acknowledge the potential for backyard wildlife areas to become
nodes within a series of associated patches that serve as stopovers and habitat for native
birds. 5 These areas are particularly critical considering the current status of natural
bird habitats. Unfortunately, while we protect wild birds with state and federal laws
that apply to parks and refuges, the vast majority of land remains in private ownership
with no formal protection. 5 Organizations such as the National Audubon Society and
Nature Conservancy are actively identifying specific locations that are critical to birds,
thereby increasing the opportunities for potential linkages between created and natural
bird habitats. 5 Depending on the location, design guidelines will vary according to site
resources and the bird species desired to be attracted. However, there are some general
guidelines that are important for the design of any bird habitat:
1. Mimic nature in species selection and arrangement : Native plants particularly play an
important role in bird habitats due to the interactions between indigenous birds
and associated plants over many years. Native plants that have coevolved with
native birds are more likely to provide appropriate nutrition for the birds when it
is needed, produce fruits that provide supplemental water, and provide suitable
cover for nesting and shelter. 5,7 It is also important to recognize the wide range of
plants necessary for creating a habitat that can provide food and shelter. For exam-
ple, selecting plants that have dense foliage and thorns provide nesting opportu-
nities and cover for many native birds (Figure 22.3).
Arrangement of plants should mimic patterns of existing native plant commu-
nities. These layers of plant growth are used for a multitude of purposes. Birds
may build their nests in the layer of tall shrubs and find food below by scratching
through leaf litter. Again, it is typical to arrange tall species along the periphery of
the habitat, followed by large understory shrubs or small trees closer to the view
point (in many cases, the home), and layers of small shrubs, groundcover, and
annuals such as wildflowers and grasses in the foreground.
FIGURE 22.3
Providing thorny shrubs to intertwine with other native species provides effective cover and food for wildlife.