13 Bushes That Birds Love to Nest In

If you're trying to make your yard a haven for birds, planting the right bushes is key. Birds need more than food—they also look for safe places to nest and raise their young.

From dense shrubs to berry-filled favorites, these 13 bushes offer birds a cozy home and natural protection from predators.

American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

This native shrub is known for its vibrant purple berries and arching branches. Birds love nesting in its dense structure, and the berries provide food well into fall.

Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea)

Not only does it offer eye-catching red stems in winter, but this bush also provides excellent nesting cover in spring and summer. It thrives near water and supports a variety of songbirds.

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

Technically a juniper, this evergreen acts like a bush when young or trimmed. Its thick foliage and berries attract nesting birds like robins, sparrows, and mockingbirds.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)

These multi-stemmed shrubs provide a strong branch structure for nests and early-spring berries for birds. They're also stunning in all four seasons.

Chokeberry (Aronia spp.)

Chokeberry’s dense growth habit offers excellent hiding spots for nesting. Its berries are enjoyed by birds like waxwings and thrushes, especially in fall and winter.

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)

A native understory shrub, spicebush offers aromatic foliage and excellent nesting coverage. Birds love the protective shade it provides—and its berries are a bonus.

Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata)

This deciduous holly loses its leaves but keeps its bright red berries, which birds flock to in cold months. During nesting season, its thick branching offers great support.

Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)

This tough shrub is perfect for hedges and nesting birds. Its branching structure provides shelter, while its berries feed birds in late summer and early fall.

Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)

This native shrub has peeling bark and dense, arching stems that are perfect for hiding nests. Birds love its late-spring flowers and protective canopy.

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

Often found near wetlands, buttonbush has a unique ball-shaped flower and thick foliage. Its structure is ideal for nesting water-loving birds like red-winged blackbirds.

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

With large clusters of flowers and berries, elderberries are a favorite among both birds and gardeners. The bush’s sprawling form is ideal for nesting in quiet corners of your yard.

Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra)

A compact, evergreen holly, inkberry provides excellent year-round cover. Its glossy foliage and black berries make it attractive to both birds and landscape designers.

Hazelnut (Corylus americana)

This multi-stemmed shrub is perfect for thickets and wildlife gardens. It provides great nesting opportunities and edible nuts for birds like jays and woodpeckers.

Creating a bird-friendly yard doesn’t just mean adding feeders—it means offering safety, shelter, and food sources all year long. These 13 bushes do exactly that, attracting nesting birds while enhancing your landscape.