Two plants that I have seen behave in the way the OP is interested in (although I can't say if they do well being laid) are:
Lindera benzoin commonly called spicebush, common spicebush, northern spicebush, wild allspice, or Benjamin bush
Myrica pensylvanica or northern bayberry, bayberry, candle-berry
Both have thicket-like growth that I see full of birds during colder weather, but no thorns. The bayberry is semi-evergreen and tolerates more salinity (if your roads get salted) and somewhat boggy or flood-prone conditions; its berries smell wonderful and can be used for candle making- although I have never seen them growing in such profusion that I could imagine picking
enough for a candle.
Apparently the spicebush is host to some specific butterflies too; they also provide that visual tonic of acid green in early spring that we all seem to crave after a gray northern winter.
Both plants are fragrant and beautiful, and whole the
fruit they produce may not be as desirable for its edibility for humans, they are attractive to animals and have
medicinal uses.
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