There are eight structural components and eight living or plant components to fulfill the needs of a habitat. These become your building blocks in establishing or enhancing a wildlife habitat.

1. T here are eight structural
components and eight living or
plant components to fulfill the
Components of a needs of a habitat. These become
your building blocks in establishing
or enhancing a wildlife habitat.
Wildlife Habitat If you have all 16 components in
your habitat, you will attract a
For more nature habitat information
Visit these helpful websites: multitude of different species of
wildlife for viewing or
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STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
OF A WILDLIFE HABITAT
Feeders
Feeders are used to supplement
the foods provided by trees,
shrubs, flowers, crops in food
plots, vines, and ground covers.
Most people set up feeding
stations outside a window in the
house where they can easily view
the feeders and take photographs.
In most areas of the country,
you can attract 20 to 25 species
of birds to feeders. The best all-
around bird seed is black oil
sunflower. It can be used in tray
feeders, cylindrical and hopper
feeders, plus it can be spread on
the ground for ground feeding
birds (and chipmunks and
squirrels).
s Cylindrical Feeders – may be
made of plastic or metal.
Small seed pods dispense
niger thistle seeds which are
preferred by goldfinches, house
finches, and pine siskins.
Once you learn the four elements of a wildlife habitat – Larger seed pods dispense
food, water, cover and space – you can move on to the sunflower or seed mixes. A cap
16 components of a habitat. slips off the feeder for easily
filling.
When you become familiar with both the elements and
s Hopper Feeders – may be
components, you’ll have the information you need to made of wood, plastic, or
enhance your habitat for years to come. metal and come in a variety of
sizes. One side of the top
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2. usually is hinged for easy filling the holes. If a metal feeder is resemble flowers where
of sunflower or seed mixes. used, a bird’s tongue can hummingbirds harvest nectar.
Metal hoppers sometimes freeze to the metal while It is best to scatter several
have a counter-balanced feeding. You can buy suet feeders in your habitat as the
platform which closes access cakes which can be put out at tiny birds are combative and
to the seed when heavier birds any time or you can get will spend lots of time driving
or squirrels attempt to feed. unrendered fat from most off other hummingbirds. The
grocery stores to use when it feeders must be keep filled
s Suet Feeders – may be a is cold outside (in warm with room temperature sugar
mesh potato or onion bag, or temperatures, the fat can water (four parts of boiling
made of metal like hardware become rancid). water to one part cane
cloth. You can make one of sugar) and cleaned with a
wood by drilling 1-1/2" holes in s Hummingbird Feeders – dilute solution of chlorine
thick pieces of wood (such as usually are made from glass or bleach (soak for an hour and
a 2x4) and push the suet into plastic. They are red in color to rinse) several times a week in
hot weather. Red food
coloring is not necessary.
s Squirrel Feeders – can be
Sixteen Components of Wildlife Habitat made by mounting ears of
corn on long spikes that are
– Landscaping for Wildlife
fastened to decks or trees
away from your bird feeders.
Feeders
Squirrels can damage nearly
any type of feeder that is not
“squirrel proof." The Institute
sells a heavy-duty PVC Bird
Postª feeder that is
guaranteed squirrel-proof.
s Fruit Feeders – can be made
by forcing a large nail through
half of an orange or apple and
nailing it to a tree or post.
The fruit will attract
Baltimore orioles, red-bellied
woodpeckers, catbirds, and
red squirrels.
Dust and Grit
Dust and grit are important to
Structural Plant birds. Pheasants, wild turkeys,
Components Components and some species of songbirds will
take a dust “bath" to control
external parasites.
The Institute recommends that you photocopy the components chart and put it
up where you can see it from time to time. Then youÕll be able to channel your You can easily provide dust in
thoughts toward coming up with really creative and exciting enhancement your backyard habitat by adding
projects for your wildlife habitat or others. The chart is also a great tool to use finely pulverized soil to an area no
when a neighbor, friend, or relative asks you how they can attract more wildlife more than 2 ft. in diameter.
to their property.
© WindStar Wildlife Institute Page 2 A Plant's Home

3. Grit (coarse sand) is needed by
birds in their gizzards to grind up
their food.
Some people add sand to their
bird feed, while others just provide
it in a tray near their feeding
station.
Water
Water is just as important as
food, but often is one of the
factors limiting the presence of
wildlife. If you have water, you will
attract many more species of
wildlife. Remember, dripping or
flowing water is more attractive to
wildlife than still water. And, s Ponds – can be lined with concrete, plastic, or rubber. If you want to
shallow water is preferred over attract songbirds, ducks, frogs, toads, and salamanders, make it
deep water by most wildlife. Water about 10 ft. across and 1 to 2 ft. deep. Placing soil on top of the liner
can be provided in many forms: in the bottom of the pool, will make it possible to seed native aquatic
plants such as cattail, water lily, arrowhead, marsh marigold, or
s Bird Baths – can be plastic or duckweed. Or, you can plant in pots and place them on the bottom.
concrete, heated or unheated,
formal or as informal as an If you can accommodate a larger pond (30 to 40 ft. across), you’ll
upturned garbage can lid. If be able to attract more wildlife such as crayfish, salamanders,
you have a problem with cats newts, more species of frogs, garter snakes, birds, and turtles.
killing your feeder and Construct at least one-third of the bank with a gradual incline
songbirds, make sure the bird toward the deep point. Place a brush pile in the shallow water and
bath is at least 15 ft. away you will attract frogs, toads, and salamanders who will lay their eggs
from trees and shrubs, where there. Rocks placed along the water’s edge will serve as sunning
cats can hide before pouncing. areas for turtles and snakes.
A dripper or mister are good
additions. Specially designed s Bogs and Wetlands – can be as simple as a mud puddle for
heaters are available for bird butterflies to a sizable overflow area for your pond to a wetlands
baths or you can go to a farm area fed by a spring or stream. These areas attract a wide variety of
supply store and buy a heated species such as ducks, geese, grebes, herons, blackbirds, terns,
dog dish for around $20. Be marsh wrens, muskrats, minks, raccoons, and many others. Follow
sure to add a flat rock in the this rule of thumb – for each acre of wetlands, there should be two
center where birds can stand to four acres of grassy nesting cover.
while drinking and bathing.
Salt
Salt is essential in the diet of wildlife. Some species, including deer,
moose, pine grosbeaks, and crossbills, will seek salt deposits. Others can
satisfy their need from trace elements in their diet. Some states will
allow residents to place salt blocks on their property, others will not.
Another way to supply salt is to fill a burlap sack half full of granular
salt and hang it from a tree where rain can leach the salt into the soil.
Make sure the tree is one that you wouldn’t miss, as the salt will
probably eventually kill the tree. Wildlife will seek these areas out.
© WindStar Wildlife Institute Page 3 A Plant's Home

4. Cut Banks, Cliffs, and Caves as wood ducks and owls. A snag
Cut banks, cliffs, and caves should not be created if they don’t already needs to be at least six inches in
exist. Cliffs will attract bats, bank swallows, kingfishers, and peregrine diameter and 15 ft. tall. And, the
falcons. Cut banks attract fox, badgers, coyotes, and groundhogs. And, bigger, the better. Some people will
bats are attracted to caves. cut down a snag, move it to their
residence, and replant it in their
yard near a window where they can
Brush and Rock Piles watch the wildlife it attracts.
Brush and rock piles provide escape cover, nesting, and den sites for
species such as weasels, rabbits, groundhogs, skunks, snakes, quail, and Branches (perches) overhanging
others. If you place a brush or rock pile on the edge of a small pond, with water are preferred by herons and
part of it under the water, you will have a fitting habitat for amphibian and kingfishers so they can swoop in
reptile species. from their lofty perches and get a
fish dinner. Flycatchers do the
Brush or rock piles placed away from water, should be in or next to same thing, only they want
sheltered areas such as along the edges of fields or in shrubs or second insects. On dry land, perches are
growth areas. If you have more than a few acres, the brush pile should be used by hawks, eagles, vultures,
at least 15 ft. across. Put larger logs on the bottom and criss-cross them. and falcons to spot prey.
Then gradually add medium ones, ending up with small trees or branches on
top.
LIVING COMPONENTS
OF A WILDLIFE HABITAT
Nest Boxes
Nest boxes are used by nearly 50 Conifers
species of wildlife. Wildlife seek them out Conifers (sometimes known as
when they cannot find suitable tree cavities. evergreens) include trees and
In several cases, such as the Eastern Bluebird, shrubs that do not lose their
the boxes and work of thousands of volunteers, are needles in winter. Species include
responsible for bringing the birds back from near firs, spruces, pines, arborvitae,
endangered status. junipers, yews, and cedars.
Boxes can be constructed of numerous materials but the best is This group of plants is critical to
probably red cedar, which does not require any type of protective coating. wildlife. The cover and shelter they
The size of the box and entrance hole are critical to each species. provide is invaluable. In addition,
wildlife eat the seeds, buds, twigs,
sap, and needles. Plus, the trees
Snags, Fallen Trees, and Perches always stay green, and make the
Unfortunately, when most people see a dead tree (snag), they want to habitat look better. Forty-eight
cut it down immediately. They don’t realize that a dead tree is home to species of birds prefer the eastern
numerous insects and cavity nesting/den species of wildlife. In the white pine. For example, turkeys
Midwest, more than 40 species of birds and about 30 mammal species eat the seeds and needles, and
use them. yellow-bellied sapsuckers eat the
sap. Branches and cavities are
Insect larvae are often under the bark or in the soft wood. Woodpeckers used for nesting.
have the skill to create cavities that are often used by other species such
Other favorite conifers are
balsam fir, eastern red cedar,
spruces, and eastern hemlock.
Canada yew is highly preferred by
deer and is generally wiped out
wherever significant number of
deer are present.
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5. Summer Plants (23 species), cattails (17 species), cedar waxwings, wood thrushes,
Summer fruit, berry, and cover wild celery (16 species), and nuthatches, grosbeaks, ruffed
plants include trees, shrubs, duckweed (16 species). grouse, bluebirds, wood ducks,
aquatic plants, and vines which pheasants, and orioles seek out
produce food from June through honeysuckle, cherry, and amur the fruit of the red osier
August. The biggest group in this maples. Climbing vines create dogwood, gray dogwood,
component are those plants that nesting cover and fruits. The best mountain ash, winterberry, and
produce fruits and berries in the fruit trees for wildlife are cottoneasters.
summer. Wildlife species attracted mulberries, chokecherries, and
are American robin, junco, black cherries. Grains such as corn are valued
woodpeckers, brown thrashers, by nearly 100 species as is
blue jays, catbirds, bluebird, wood The best tall shrubs are bush wheat, oats, and grain sorghum.
thrush, cedar waxwing, oriole, apricots, chokecherries,
scarlet tanager, cardinal, birdcherries, and serviceberries.
butterflies, cowbird, pheasant, Plums and cherries are good Winter Plants
deer, grouse, squirrel, raccoon, red medium shrubs. Winter fruits and cover plants
fox, and pheasant. can make the difference whether
The best low shrubs are cherries, wildlife survive the winter. In order
This group of plants tends to honeysuckle, raspberries, for this food to be available
spread and create thickets elderberries, blackberries, and during the winter, it must have
producing excellent cover. Some of blueberries. Grapes are the best persistence and low appeal to
these plants are: raspberries, vines and strawberries are the wildlife when the fruit first
blackberries, serviceberries, wild best forb. appears. Examples are:
plum, chokecherries, lilac-flowered snowberry, crabapple, chokeberry,
honeysuckle, cherry, and amur If you want to create a shelter staghorn, sumac, bittersweet,
maples. Climbing vines create belt, elderberries, scarlet elder, highbush cranberry, wahoo, and
nesting cover and fruits. The best American plum, cherries, service Virginia creeper.
fruit trees for wildlife are berries, and mulberries are best.
mulberries, chokecherries, and Some of these fruits are bitter
black cherries. For aquatic areas consider: when they first ripen. Others
smartweed (used by 66 species), must freeze and thaw several
The best tall shrubs are bush bulrush (52 species), pondweed times until the fruits break down
apricots, chokecherries, (40 species), wigeon grass (33 and become more palatable.
birdcherries, and serviceberries. species), wild millet (29 species),
Plums and cherries are good spike rush (29 species), wild rice
medium shrubs. The best low (23 species), cattails (17 species), Butterfly, Bee, and Moth Plants
shrubs are cherries, honeysuckle, wild celery (16 species), and Butterfly, bee, and moth plants
raspberries, elderberries, duckweed (16 species). will add class to your habitat. You
blackberries, and blueberries. might want to create a garden of
Grapes are the best vines and native prairie wildflowers or native
strawberries are the best forb. Fall Plants woodland wildflowers.
Fall fruits, grains, and cover
If you want to create a shelter plants allow migratory birds to The most common butterflies
belt, elderberries, scarlet elder, build up fat reserves prior to attracted include monarch,
American plum, cherries, service migration. Non-migratory species painted lady, comma, red-spotted
berries, and mulberries are best. need this Fall food to build up their purple, tiger swallowtail,
“food pantries" or add to their fat fritillaries, red admiral, sulphurs,
For aquatic areas consider: reserves so they can make it cabbage, and blues. If you are
smartweed (used by 66 species), through the winter. wanted to attract a moth, you
bulrush (52 species), pondweed might have the clearwing or
(40 species), wigeon grass (33 Gray catbirds, brown thrashers, sphinx visit your garden. Bees
species), wild millet (29 species), American robins, chickadees, that are nectar feeders are
spike rush (29 species), wild rice juncos, purple finches, cardinals, bumblebees and honeybees.
© WindStar Wildlife Institute Page 5 A Plant's Home

6. Butterflies require two kinds of food – one type for the caterpillars and Nut and Acorn Trees
another for the adult butterfly. Butterfly caterpillars will feast on Nut and acorn trees are often
birches, aspens, willows, hackberry, cherries, and oak trees, legumes, referred to as “mast." In the Fall,
grasses, herbs, blueberries, asters, alfalfa, vetches, clovers, bluegrass, mast is sought after by wild
little bluestem, hollyhock, milkweed, lupines, black-eyed Susan, marigolds, turkey, Whitetail deer, wood
violets, sedges, and dock plants. ducks, squirrels (red, gray, and
fox), pheasant, ruffed grouse,
For nectar, the adult butterflies prefer aster, red clover, thistle, purple Bobwhite quail, raccoon, black
coneflower, blazing star, Joe Pye-weed, goldenrod, ironweed, vetches, bear, mallard ducks, and more.
peppermint, carrot, dill, and parsley. Bees and butterflies prefer “single-
flowered" plants as the nectar is richer and easier to access. For Among the trees that produce
example, peonies, lilacs, and marigolds.
mast are: black walnut, hickory,
butternut, oak, and hazel. If you
Bees are attracted to nearly 50 plants. The best are daffodil, sweet
want to add a component that
mock orange, cherry, apple, plum, peach, apricot, almond, grape hyacinth,
will last a long time, then these
jonquil, pussy willow, and lilac.
trees are for you. Some of the
They also like evening primrose, penstemons, petunia, phlox, moss rose, oaks have been known to produce
salvia, sedum, goldenrod, thistle, coralberry, wolfberry, snowberry, acorns for 400 years, as
marigold, clover, verbena, broccoli, and sunflowers. Herb gardens are opposed to a shrub that may
especially attractive to them, including lavender, mint, spearmint, only last a few years.
peppermint, lemon balm, sweet marjoram, rosemary, sage, dill, and thyme.
Many of these trees contain
Moths can be attracted to flower gardens. Clearwing moths are cavities that are used by nearly
attracted to Sweet William, petunias, fireweed, dame’s rocket, evening one hundred species of wildlife.
primrose, sweet mock orange, and phlox. Sphinx moths prefer trumpet
creeper, lilies, cardinal flower, phlox, and old-fashioned weigela. In summary, by providing the
four elements of a wildlife
habitat and as many of the 16
Grasses and Legumes components as possible, you will
Grasses and legumes can be found in large yards or rural fields. Many improve the quality of your
birds use these for nesting, including pheasants, meadowlarks, mallards, habitat and should attract more
and blue-winged teal. Plant eating wildlife such as Whitetail deer, rabbits, wildlife.
groundhogs, and meadow voles prefer these plants.
These are also good for cover of ground nesting birds and their
offspring. Perhaps that’s why predators such as red fox, red-tailed This article was written by
hawks, American kestrels, owls, coyotes, weasels, and skunks also Thomas D. Patrick, President and
frequent the area for a meal. Founder of the WindStar Wildlife
Institute, a national, non-profit
conservation organization whose
Native grasses like switchgrass, big and little bluestem, Indiangrass,
mission is to help individuals and
and sideoats gramma are making a comeback. Add some native families establish or improve the
wildflowers and you have a wildflower meadow. wildlife habitat on their properties.
For more information or for the
Hummingbird Plants name of a Master Wildlife Habitat
Hummingbird plants are nectar producing and include these favorites: Naturalist in your area, please
American columbine, foxglove, penstemon, petunia, hardy fuchsia, contact:
trumpet honeysuckle, bergamot, cardinal flower, dwarf blue gentian, WindStar Wildlife Institute
hosta, trumpet vine, scarlet runner beans, and salvia.
E-mail: wildalife@windstar.org
Another wildlife species that likes nectar is the northern oriole which http://www.windstar.org
prefers blossoms of red or orange flowers such as hollyhock, trumpet
vine, lilies, scarlet trumpet honeysuckle, and trees such as plum, cherry,
apricot, and almond.
© WindStar Wildlife Institute Page 6 A Plant's Home