Birds make nests in bushes for a variety of reasons. Bushes provide shelter, camouflage, and support for nests. Many species of birds prefer to build their nests low to the ground, hidden among shrubs and bushes. Some common birds that build nests in bushes include wrens, sparrows, finches, warblers, towhees, catbirds, thrashers, and flycatchers.
Birds That Nest in Bushes
Here are some of the most common bird species that build nests in bushes:
Wrens
Wrens are small, active birds that flit through vegetation looking for insects to eat. They build domed nests out of twigs, grasses, moss, and other materials. Different wren species nest in bushes including:
- Carolina Wren – Often nests low in shrubs or vine tangles.
- House Wren – Nest is a mass of sticks with a small inner cavity lined with fine grass or feathers.
- Marsh Wren – Builds a globular nest with a side entrance, made of reeds and cattails.
- Bewick’s Wren – Nest is a tightly woven mass of twigs, bark, grass, and feathers.
Sparrows
Sparrows are seed-eating birds that often live around human habitation. They build cup-shaped nests out of grasses, twigs, and feathers. Sparrows that nest in bushes include:
- Chipping Sparrow
- Field Sparrow
- Song Sparrow
- White-throated Sparrow
- Dark-eyed Junco
Finches
Finches are small perching birds that have conical beaks adapted for eating seeds. They construct nests out of grasses, leaves, moss and other soft materials. Finches that build nests in bushes include:
- American Goldfinch
- Purple Finch
- House Finch
Warblers
Warblers are small, active insect-eating birds. They build neat, compact cup-shaped nests. Warblers that nest in bushes include:
- Common Yellowthroat
- Yellow Warbler
- Prairie Warbler
- Black-and-white Warbler
Towhees
Towhees are sparrow-like birds that scratch in the undergrowth looking for insects. They build nests on the ground or low in shrubs. Towhees that nest in bushes include:
- Eastern Towhee
- Spotted Towhee
- Canyon Towhee
- California Towhee
Catbirds
Catbirds get their name from their feline-like meowing call. They build bulky nests of twigs, bark, leaves and grasses. The Gray Catbird and Black-capped Catbird nest in low, dense shrubs.
Thrashers
Thrashers are songbirds that forage by thrashing through leaf litter on the ground. They build nests of twigs and bark. Thrashers that nest in bushes include:
- Brown Thrasher
- Curve-billed Thrasher
- California Thrasher
- Bendire’s Thrasher
Flycatchers
Flycatchers are insectivorous birds that capture flying insects. They build small, neat cup nests. Flycatchers that nest in bushes include:
- Eastern Phoebe
- Say’s Phoebe
- Willow Flycatcher
- Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Why Birds Nest in Bushes
Birds choose to nest in bushes for several important reasons:
Shelter
Bushes provide shelter from weather and predators. Twigs, leaves and branches help insulate and camouflage nests built within shrubs.
Support
Birds can weave nests into sturdy branches and twigs in bushes. This provides structural reinforcement for nests.
Protection
Nests hidden in dense bushes are more difficult for predators to access. Thick foliage helps conceal nests.
Shade
Bushes provide shade which helps regulate temperature and moisture in nests.
Food availability
Birds nest near food sources. Bushes often harbor insects for insect-eating species. They may produce seeds or berries for seed/fruit-eating birds.
Types of Bushes Birds Nest In
Birds will nest in almost any type of bush or shrub that provides adequate food, cover, and support. Some common bush types used by nesting birds include:
Deciduous shrub thickets
These leafy bushes provide excellent concealment for nests. Examples include lilac, privet, dogwood, honeysuckle, wild rose, blackberry brambles.
Evergreen shrubs
Coniferous bushes like juniper, yew, arborvitae, and chamaecyparis are used when deciduous options are limited.
Vines and cane thickets
Vines like kudzu, grape, Virginia creeper, poison ivy, and blackberry can form dense tangles used for nesting.
Ornamental shrubs
Cultivated bushes around homes and gardens are readily used by birds when available. These include rhododendron, azalea, spirea, boxwood.
Marsh bushes
Wetland plants like buttonbush, swamp dogwood, and alder are nest sites for wetland birds.
Desert washes
Desert birds nest in oasis bushes like mesquite, acacia, creosote, and sagebrush.
Nesting Materials
Birds build nests from whatever soft, pliable materials they can find nearby. Common natural materials include:
- Twigs
- Grasses
- Feathers
- Moss
- Spider silk
- Pine needles
- Leaves
- Mud
- Lichen
- Rootlets
Birds today also incorporate man-made materials:
- String
- Yarn
- Paper
- Plastic
- Foam
- Fabric scraps
Nesting Season
The nesting season for most birds is spring and summer. However, timing varies depending on species and region:
- Tropical birds may nest year-round
- Southern birds begin nesting earlier (March – April)
- Northern birds nest later (May – July)
- Migratory birds build nests on breeding grounds after spring migration
- Resident birds nest after winter or dry season ends
The peak nesting period across most of North America is May through July. Some birds have multiple broods and build more than one nest per season.
Nest Locations
Specific nest placement varies, but birds often choose sites that are:
- Hidden – concealed from predators/enemies
- Sheltered – protected from weather elements
- Supported – sturdy foundation for nest structure
- Accessible – easy for adult birds to access
- Safe – isolated from disturbances
In bushes, birds may nest:
- In branch forks
- Against the trunk
- Within dense tangles
- Using multiple branching supports
- Near the ends of branches
Nest Design
Bird nest architecture is tailored to each species’ size, behavior, habitat, and nesting materials. Nests built in bushes include:
Cups
Small rounded nests woven into branch forks. Used by finches, some warblers, wrens, hummingbirds.
Pensile
Hanging nests attached underneath overhanging branches. Favored by orioles, some euphonias.
Platforms
Flat nests built on top of branches. Robins and doves build platform nests.
Spheres
Large globular nests with side entrance holes. Carolina wrens build spherical stick nests.
Bowls
Sturdy, compact nests reinforced with mud. Used by swifts, swallows, bluebirds.
Pouches
Woven, sock-like nests suspended from branches. Ovenbirds and red-faced warblers use pouch nests.
Threats to Nests
Birds face many threats to their nests built in bushes and other sites. Common nest predators include:
- Snakes
- Squirrels
- Chipmunks
- Raccoons
- Cats
- Crows
- Jays
- Rat snakes
- Tree snakes
- Coyotes
- Opossums
- Foxes
- Skunks
- Feral pigs
Severe storms and weather events can also destroy nests including:
- High winds
- Downpours
- Hail
- Hurricanes
- Tornadoes
- Floods
- Blizzards
Human activities and structures take a toll on nest success too:
- Agriculture
- Logging
- Development
- Vegetation removal
- Pesticides
- Cats
- Windows
- Collisions with vehicles
Helping Birds Nest
There are several ways to help protect nesting birds and give them a better chance of nesting success:
- Avoid trimming bushes and vegetation during nesting season
- Provide native plant landscaping that birds can nest in
- Put up nest boxes if natural sites are limited
- Keep pet cats indoors
- Use bird-friendly pest control methods
- Reduce or eliminate pesticide use
- Monitor nests to keep away predators
- Use screens on windows to prevent collisions
Supporting healthy habitat with nest sites, cover, and food sources helps bird populations thrive.
Conclusion
Bushes play an integral role in providing nesting sites for many species of birds. The shelter and concealment that shrubs offer allows birds to build secure nests hidden from predators and weather. Backyard bushes can be important nesting areas for common birds adapted to urban environments. Protecting natural bushes and planting bird-friendly landscaping are ways to support nesting birds. Observing the busy activity of birds mating, building nests, and raising young in the spring is one of the joys of the season for nature lovers and birdwatchers.