I couldn't grow stuff in some parts of my yard either. What I used were whole tree branches put around in creative ways.. some were screwed to 2 x 4's so they stuck out into space, kinda like a true branch.. others were just propped up against walls or a couple were put together like a teepee (thick part sticking up so the leafy parts are down at the bird's walking level). Many of the pheasants absolutely loved the entire tree branches, a lot of nests were made in those.
I didn't do this but you could use potted plants. Just plunk them on ground or dig whatever depth you can and like partially bury the pot with plant with it to hide some of the pot.. also this will be good for the plant- their roots will grow out into the soil.
I did use empty nursery pots, 15 gal or larger and cut out a hole in the sides and then screwed them against a post or directly on a 2 x 4 and then put couple inches soil on the bottom of pot then stuffed leaves, pine needles, straw or whatever's handy then put a spare piece of plywood on top, or put part of a branch on top. Some hens used this and never nested anywhere, golden hens seemed very partial to those. Most of them also went broody and hatched chicks.. which back then unknown to me apparently that does not happen too often.. surprised me because nearly all of them went broody and raised chicks. It is amazing how much better the chicks look when raised by a hen. Much smoother feathers and much more muscular. If the hen is tame, she will teach the chicks not to be afraid of you. It is quite charming to reach out a hand full of food or treats and have a "wild pheasant bird" come right up to you with her babies and all of them make little noises and fuss over which specific tidbit they want out of your hand.. tossing some off to the side.. some off on the other side of hand. Heh. (Like I said, I miss them.)
Not as "pretty" but spare pieces of plywood are quite accepted and used by the birds. Just lean them over onto a wall. Make sure you don't set them where a bird could get cornered by another bird though, making sure there are two exit holes for each one, so to speak. You could paint them to make them more appealing, as in for you or human eyes, the birds do not care if they are plain brown or pretty green with natural murals painted on them..
Since then I have discovered the heaven that is covered cat litter boxes, which I use for chicken nestboxes. I absolutely would have used them for the pheasants- propped up on a shelf, or with the bottom half screwed on a 2 x 4 like I did the nursery pots etc. Most of them are pretty shiny or gaudy colored so I would try painting them to make them less "eye-soreish" especially if they are going to be at eye level or higher. (oops forgot to mention the pot nests were at head or higher level.. they love this) I would suggest to maybe make the nests a little hard to access so other birds don't have such an easy viewing and bothering access, just in case. I faced the enterance just a bit slightly off to the side, so the hen would have to do a little monkey gymnastics to get in(they are very agile, trust me).. or make it just a few feet away from a wall and the enterance faces the wall also.
Geez this is getting too long.. hope this gave some ideas!
