Your Location

Region (affects species mentioned in tips)

Food Sources (25 pts)

How many feeders do you have?

Native berry or fruit plants? Serviceberry, elderberry, holly, dogwood, crabapple, viburnum

Native seed plants? Coneflower, black-eyed Susan, sunflower, native grasses, asters

Water (20 pts)

What water sources do you have?

Multiple water sources (birdbath + other)+2 pts Heated birdbath (winter water)+2 pts

Shelter & Nesting (25 pts)

Dead snagsA standing dead tree is among the most valuable habitat features. Woodpeckers excavate cavities used by bluebirds, chickadees, and owls. Worth more to birds than a live tree.

Brush pilesA brush or log pile provides critical cover for towhees, wrens, and sparrows, and harbors insects. Takes 10 minutes.

Nest boxesCavity-nesters depend on nest boxes. Hole size is critical -- wrong size attracts house sparrows instead.

Trees in or adjacent to your yard

Shrubs and dense plantings

Brush pile or log pile+3 pts Standing dead tree (snag)+3 pts

Nest boxes

Native Plants (15 pts)

Approximately what % of your yard is native plants? Include trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses -- exclude lawn, hardscape, non-native ornamentals

Yard Size & Diversity (10 pts)

Yard size (approx)

Habitat layers present Ground cover, low shrubs (under 5ft), mid shrubs/small trees (5-15ft), tall trees (15ft+)

Outdoor Cat (0 or -20 pts)

Do you have an outdoor cat that roams your yard?

Reduce Threats (+9 pts)

Outdoor lights on motion sensors or warm LEDs+3 pts Problem windows treated for bird collisions+3 pts Stems, seed heads, and leaves left standing through winter+3 pts

Pesticide Use (5 pts)

Pesticide and herbicide use

Backyard Bird Habitat Score

Backyard Bird Habitat Score

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