Landscaping for Landscaping for WildlifeWildlife

Attracting Birds to Your Attracting Birds to Your BackyardBackyard

Photo by Mark Hostetler

Landscaping for BirdsLandscaping for Birds

•Biology and BehaviorBiology and Behavior

•Elements of Bird LandscapingElements of Bird Landscaping

•What do birds eat?What do birds eat?

•Life HistoryLife History

•MigrationMigration

•FoodFood

•CoverCover

•WaterWater

•Common Florida BirdsCommon Florida Birds

•InsectivoreInsectivoress•GrainivoreGrainivore

What do birds eat?What do birds eat?

•FrugivoreFrugivoress

Cedar Waxwing

What do birds eat?What do birds eat?

•NectivoresNectivores

Photo by Paul Conover

Ruby-throated HummingbirdRuby-throated Hummingbird

•CarnivoresCarnivores

American KestrelAmerican Kestrel

Loggerhead ShrikeLoggerhead Shrike

•AdultAdultPhoto by Joe

Schaefer

•JuvenileJuvenile

Life HistoryLife History

•EggEgg

MigrationMigration

• The movement of birds from The movement of birds from one one region to anotherregion to another

• Migration follows weather Migration follows weather changeschanges

Winter ResidentsWinter Residents

Cedar Waxwing

Summer ResidentsSummer Residents

Photo by Paul Conover

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Birds that pass through Birds that pass through FloridaFlorida

Photo by Dan Sudia, American Redstart

Photo by Dan Sudia, Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Year-round ResidentsYear-round Residents

Attracting Birds to your Attracting Birds to your YardYard

Photo by Anamari Mena

Three Important Elements Three Important Elements to Landscaping for Birdsto Landscaping for Birds

•WATERWATER

•FOODFOOD

•COVERCOVER

Photo by Mark Hostetler

FOODFOOD

Photo by Anamari Mena

Photo by Anamari Mena

Photo by Joe Schaefer

Photo by Joe Schaefer

Food Resources for Food Resources for BirdsBirds

•Native plantsNative plants

•InsectsInsects

•Seed types Seed types

•Bird feedersBird feeders

•Suet mixesSuet mixes

Red bay, Joe Schaefer

Southern Magnolia, Joe Schaefer

Dahoon holly, Joe Schaefer

Southern red cedar, D. Bryan

Sea Grape, Tim McCabe

Native Florida PlantsNative Florida Plants

American beautyberry Pokeweed

Trumpet vineDogwoodWild Grape

Virginia creeper

More Native Florida More Native Florida PlantsPlantsPhotos by Joe SchaeferPhotos by Joe Schaefer

Photo by Joe Schaefer

InsectsInsectsPhoto by Joe Schaefer, Zebra Long Wing

Photo by Joe Schaefer, Gulf Fritillary

www.flwildflowers.comwww.flwildflowers.com

Seed Types Seed Types

Photo by Michele Dunbar

Safflower Mixed Seed

Black-oil Sunflower

Cracked Corn

Red Milo White Millet

Thistle

House Finch &

Sunflower

Seed Cakes & Seed Cakes & SuetSuet

Photo by Michele Dunbar

•Variety of foods mixed into melted fat

•Make your own peanut butter seed cakes

•Commercial suet cakes

•Hanging Suet baskets

Common Bird FeedersCommon Bird Feeders

•Hummingbird Hummingbird feedersfeeders

•Platform feedersPlatform feeders

•Stationary feedersStationary feeders

•Hanging feedersHanging feeders

Platform FeedersPlatform Feeders

•Platforms should be porous to allow for water drainage

•A flat sturdy surface that simulates the ground

Photo by

Stationary FeedersStationary Feeders

• Provide stable feeding station for birds to land on

Photos by Anamari Mena

Hanging FeedersHanging Feeders

•Tube Feeders •Seed Hoppers

Photo by Joe Schaefer

Photo by Anamari Mena

Hummingbird FeedersHummingbird Feeders

•Feeding solution should be made of four parts

water to one part white granulated sugar

Photos by Joe Schafer

COVERCOVER

Photo by Joe Schaefer Photo by Joe Schaefer

Types of CoverTypes of Cover

•Native Native vegetationvegetation•Brush pilesBrush piles

•SnagsSnags

•Nest boxesNest boxes

Native VegetationNative Vegetation

•Varying levels and densities is important

Photo by Mark Hostetler

Photo by Mark Hostetler

•Provide cover

•Start with a solid base of cement blocks

•Pile on your trimmings

Photo by Joe Schaefer

•Standing dead trees

•Provide for nesting and foraging

•Leave dead trees or plant snags in your yard

Brush Piles and SnagsBrush Piles and Snags

Nest BoxesNest Boxes

•Build your own nest box

•Purple Martin House

•Use cedar, fir, pine, redwood &

galvanized nails•Size of nest box & entrance hole are most important

Photo by Joe Schafer

Photo by Joe Schafer

Photo by Anamari Mena

WATERWATER

Photos by Joe Schafer

Sources of WaterSources of Water

•PondsPonds

•Attracting birds with Attracting birds with waterwater

•BirdbathsBirdbaths

BirdbathsBirdbaths

•Surface should be rough and textured

•Shallow with gently sloping sides

Photo by Joe Schafer

Building A PondBuilding A Pond

•Decide on the size

and location•Dig out & line your pond with plastic

•Fill with water and decorations

Photos by Joe Schafer

Attracting Birds With the Attracting Birds With the Sound of Water Sound of Water

•The sound of dripping water attracts birds

•Dripping Spout •Hanging Container

Photo by Mark Hostetler Photo by Anamari Mena

Common Bird Species Common Bird Species Found in Backyard Found in Backyard

HabitatsHabitats

Photo by Joe Schaefer

The Northern The Northern MockingbirdMockingbird(Mimus polyglottos)

•Range: Year-round throughout Florida

Photo by George Jameson

•Description: Gray with white wing & tail patches

• This is our State bird!

The Northern MockingbirdThe Northern Mockingbird(Mimus polyglottos)

•Attracting: native plants

Photo by Deanna Dawson

•Feeding: insects and fruit•Nesting: cup nest of twigs, leaves, & grass built in low shrub•Eggs: blue or green with

red speckles

Female: brown, with steaks of red on crest wing, tail & orange bill

Male: bright red with crest, black face, stout red bill

Northern CardinalNorthern Cardinal(Cardinalis cardinalis)

•Range: Year-round throughout Florida

•Description:

Photos by Dan Sudia

Northern CardinalNorthern Cardinal(Cardinalis cardinalis)

•Attracting: corn, nuts, sunflower seeds

Photo by Fed Fallon

•Feeding: seed, fruit, insects

•Nesting: tall shrubs to small trees bowl-shaped, twigs, bark, grass, hair

•Eggs: pale green, spotted red-

brownPhoto by Dan Sudia

Female: metallic green above, whitish beneath

Photo by Pat Lynch

Photo by Paul Conover

Male: bright red throat patch & black chin

Ruby-throated Ruby-throated HummingbirdHummingbird(Archiloctius colubris)

•Range:

•Description: 3-4 in. long; beat wings 80 times

per second & fly backwards!

Ruby-throated Ruby-throated HummingbirdHummingbird(Archiloctius colubris)

•Attracting: native plants, feeders

Photo by Pat Lynch

•Feeding: nectar, insects•Nesting: tiny cup of soft plant material,

spider web, lichen

•Eggs: tiny and white

Purple MartinPurple Martin(Progne subis)

•Range:

Photo by Marshall Iliff

•Description:

Male: glossy purple-blue

Female: dull gray/blue above, grayish below

Purple MartinPurple Martin(Progne subis)

•Attracting: martin houses

•Feeding: insects

•Nesting: man-made houses;

grass, leaves, mud feathers, twigs

•Eggs: white

Photo by Anamari Mena

Female: red nape

Photo by Fed Fallon

Red-bellied Red-bellied WoodpeckerWoodpecker

(Melanerpes carolinus)

• Range: year-round Florida residents

•Description: barred black/white back; pale reddish patch below

Photo by Fed Fallon

Male: red crown & nape

Red-bellied Red-bellied WoodpeckerWoodpecker

(Melanerpes carolinus)

•Attracting: snags, commercial

seed, suet baskets Photo by Fred Fallon

•Feeding: insects,

seed, fruits•Nesting: snags, nest

boxes•Eggs: white

Yellow-rumped WarblerYellow-rumped Warbler(Dendroica coronata)

•Range: Winter residents in Florida; duller plumage in winter

•Description: distinctive yellow rump and white tail patches

Photo by Dan Sudia

Yellow-rumped WarblerYellow-rumped Warbler(Dendroica coronata)

•Attracting: brush piles, shrubs

Photo by Dan Sudia

•Feeding: insects, fruit•Nesting: twigs, grass, rootlets, hair•Eggs: white with brown blotches

American KestrelAmerican Kestrel(Falco sparverius)

•Range: year-round throughout Florida

Photo by Davis Menke

•Description: rusty tail and back; black tail bands, two black face stripes Male: slate blue wings

Female: wings rusty, thin black tail bands

American KestrelAmerican Kestrel(Falco sparverius)

•Attracting: snags, nest

boxes Photo by Dan Sudia

•Feeding: insects, rodents, reptiles, frogs•Nesting: cavity-nester•Eggs: white or pinkish

Carolina WrenCarolina Wren(Thryothorus ludovicianus)

•Range: found year-round throughout Florida

Photo by Dan Sudia

•Description: reddish-brown above and buff

below; distinct white eyebrow

Carolina WrenCarolina Wren(Thryothorus ludovicianus)

•Attracting: brush piles, shrubs,

snags, nest boxes, seeds

Photo by C.S. Robbins

•Feeding: insects, few seeds•Nesting: cavities, brush piles, bird houses; twigs & feather lined

•Eggs: white with brown spots

SummarySummary•Bird behavior and biologyBird behavior and biology

•3 elements for landscaping for 3 elements for landscaping for birdsbirds

•FOODFOOD

•COVERCOVER

•WATERWATER

•Backyard “bird habitat” Backyard “bird habitat” visitorsvisitors

For Further InformationFor Further Information

Visit the Florida Wildlife Visit the Florida Wildlife Extension Website at:Extension Website at:

http://www.wec.ufl.edu/http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extensionextension

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Developed byDeveloped by: : Anamari Mena and Dr. Mark Hostetler, Anamari Mena and Dr. Mark Hostetler,

Department of WildlifeDepartment of WildlifeEcology and Conservation, IFAS, Ecology and Conservation, IFAS,

University of Florida, 2001.University of Florida, 2001.

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Photo & Sound Credits:Photo & Sound Credits:

D. Bryan, Michele Dunbar, Mark Hostetler, Tim McCabe, Anamari D. Bryan, Michele Dunbar, Mark Hostetler, Tim McCabe, Anamari Mena, Davis Menke (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), Joe Schafer, and Mena, Davis Menke (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), Joe Schafer, and Dan Sudia (Florida Museum of Natural History)Dan Sudia (Florida Museum of Natural History)

USGS Patuxent Bird Center:USGS Patuxent Bird Center: Paul Conover, Deanna Dawson, Fred Paul Conover, Deanna Dawson, Fred Fallon, Gregory Gough, Marshall Iliff, George Jameson, Pat Lynch, Fallon, Gregory Gough, Marshall Iliff, George Jameson, Pat Lynch, C.S. Robbins, Jim Stasz (also provided bird songs)C.S. Robbins, Jim Stasz (also provided bird songs)http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/infocenter.html http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/infocenter.html

FL Museum of Natural History: http://www.flmnh.ufl.eduFL Museum of Natural History: http://www.flmnh.ufl.eduFlorida Wildflower Showcase : http://www.flwildflowers.com Florida Wildflower Showcase : http://www.flwildflowers.com