We have an area in the garden where birds love to hide in the shrubs and then feed. We have lost one shrub in this area already this year. What fast growing, bird loving, bush, shrub, tree etc could we put here?

Can you post pics of the area?
So, shrub, or tree?
What size do you want?
Do you want the new item to have berries for the birds?

I'd probably try anise bush.
Tolerant of shade, evergreen, the leaves smell nice when crushed.
Florida Anise (Illicium floridanum)

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/pl...

Looks as if it also needs to be cat-proof.