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Plants for Birds
Plants for birds include those that provide food, shelter and nesting sites. There are seven types of plants that are important for bird habitats. Some smaller yards and gardens can't fit in all seven. But, take a look at what plants surround your yard. You can supplement or fill in the gaps with the plants that add to the variety and diversity of the landscape. Conifers (Evergreens)Conifers are evergreen trees that do not lose their needle-shaped leaves in winter. These densely covered tree limbs provide very good cover and shelter for birds. These evergreens can provide a place to hide when a predator like a cat or hawk approaches. They also provide shelter from winter winds, snow and cold. Some conifers also provide sap, seeds and buds.Grasses and LegumesGrasses and legumes provide cover for ground-nesting birds. Ground nesting birds generally don't inhabit urban and suburban areas. But, if you live near open lots, airports and grassy fields, you might see them. But if you live in such an area, don't mow the grass during the nesting season. Some grasses provide food such as seeds and legumes. Native grasses that people plant are just the kind that these birds need.Nectar-producing PlantsNectar-producing plants are just what hummingbirds and orioles need. It is the flowers that are reddish and with tubular shapes that are attractive to hummingbirds. Some of these plants include bee balm, trumpet vine, lilies, and fireweed.Summer-Fruiting PlantsSummer-fruiting plants bear fruits or berries from May through August. These trees and shrubs include serviceberry (shadbush), raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, grape, mulberry,plum and elderberry. The fruit-eaters that enjoy this bounty include catbirds, waxwings, robins, thrushes, cardinals, orioles, towhees, woodpeckers and grosbeaks.Fall-Fruiting PlantsThis category include shrubs and vines whose fruits ripen in the fall. These foods are important for migrating birds. The birds eat the fruit to build up fat reserves to fuel long migration flights. Birds that don't migrate also eat the food. Fall-fruiting plants include dogwoods, mountain ash, winter berries, cottoneasters and buffalo berries.Winter-Fruiting PlantsWinter fruit bearer don't actually produce berries in winter. These are plants have fruit which stays attached to the plant long after they become ripe in the fall. These are fruits that often need to be frozen and thawed several times to be palatable. These plants include Virginia creeper, bittersweet, sumacs, American highbush cranberry, black chokeberry and some crabapples.Seed, Nut and Acorn PlantsThe seed, nut and acorn plants provide foods for a variety of birds. The seed producers are maples, pines , spruces, birches and others. The nut producers including hickories, buckeyes, chestnuts, butternuts, walnuts, and hazelnuts. The acorn plants are the oaks.As you can see the seven types of plants provide a wide variety of food and shelter for birds. By diversifying the landscape you can help birds survive. Plants for birds include many native trees, shrubs, flowers and vines. These plants for birds can add the the beauty of your yard or garden.
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