Shrub Layer

Birds don’t just perch here — they thrive here. Shrubs host caterpillars, attract insects, and produce berries that fuel birds through the seasons. Their dense branches offer ideal nesting spots and crucial cover from predators and storms. For small songbirds, this layer is the heart of it all. Many also flower, providing nectar and pollen for pollinators.

The species highlighted below are some of Minnesota’s most valuable native keystone shrubs, supporting hundreds of caterpillar species while also providing nesting sites, shelter, and fruits especially important for migrating birds.