Bird feeders and bird baths are a great way to attract birds to your yard. But it’s certainly not the only way! The plants, trees and shrubs you have around your home will also determine the types of birds that visit your yard. Not only do native plants provide food such as seeds, insects and berries, but they also provide shelter. Places to hide from predators, take cover in inclement weather, and suitable nesting habitat are all things birds are on the look out for. So let’s talk about what makes a plant attractive, and some specific examples of the types of plants that attract birds.
Why Do Plants Attract Birds
What makes a plant attractive to birds? It’s pretty simple, food and shelter!
1. Shelter
Dense foliage, twiggy shrubs, thick brambles and evergreen leaves all play a part in creating sheltered areas for birds. Just as we would seek shelter during rainy, snowy, cold and windy days, so do your backyard bird buddies. Just having a few trees and shrubs in your yard can help provide these sheltered perching spots. Having shelter close by also helps birds avoid predators such as hawks. During breeding season, many birds like to build their nests in areas of heavy cover to protect their babies from the weather and predators.
2. Insects
There are many birds that you won’t be able to attract with a seed feeder because they primarily eat insects. So to entice these bug-loving birds to visit your yard, you’ll have to include some plants that support insects.
Some common insectivorous birds are:
- Bluebirds
- Wrens
- Phoebes
- Swallows
- Kingbirds
- Flycatchers
- Warblers
- Vireos
Insects will also benefit the birds that come to your bird feeder. Many seed eating birds will supplement their diet with insects, and will use insects (especially caterpillars) as the main food source for their nestlings. So plants and trees that support caterpillars can make your yard a much more attractive option for building a nest and raising young. Some common feeder birds that also eat insects are: cardinals, chickadees, grosbeaks, orioles, titmice and woodpeckers.
3. Seeds
Before humans were providing easy access to seed at bird feeders, the birds were doing just fine finding seeds on their own. By having some seed bearing plants you can easily offer seed without using a bird feeder. Even if you do use a bird feeder, having plants in your yard that offer diverse seeds can attract more bird variety.
Some common granivorous birds (birds that primarily eat seeds & grains) are:
- Sparrows
- Finches
- Siskins
- Juncos
- Redpolls
- Doves
- Grosbeaks
- Buntings
4. Fruit
Fruits contain sugar, which is a good source of energy and sought after by many birds. Fruits can include things us humans would eat such as oranges, apples, raspberries and cherries, but also many types of berries that we do not find tasty or would be downright toxic to us. Some species of fruiting plants are able to continue producing fruit into the winter months, and this becomes an important source of energy when it is cold and other food may be scarce.
Common backyard birds that love fruit are:
- American Robins
- Orioles
- Waxwings
- Gray Catbirds
- Northern Mockingbirds
- Tanagers
Now that we know what the birds are interested in, let’s look at some common plant species that can provide good food and shelter opportunities for the birds in your yard. As always, we encourage you to only plant what is native to your area.
6 Types Of Trees That Attract Birds
