The Seven Types of Plants Needed To Attract Birds

The Seven Types of Plants Needed to Attract 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. They include (1) conifers and evergreens (2)
grasses and legumes (3) nectar producers (4)summer fruit
bearers (5) fall fruit bearers (6) winter fruit bearers and
(7) seed, nut and acorn bearers. 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 plants that add variety and diversity of the
landscape.

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. These trees include spruces, pines, firs,
junipers and cedars.

Grasses 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 plants provide food for hummingbirds and
orioles. It is much easier to provide a nectar producing
plant than to change a feeder daily. The plants that provide
nectar have tubular flowers. The color red is extra
attractive to humming birds. These flowers include bee balm,
coralbells, columbine, trumpet creeper and scarlet morning
glory. Other vines, trees and shrubs can also provide for
nectar eaters.

Summer-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 fruit bearers 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 fruit. Fall-fruiting plants include dogwoods,
mountain ash, winter berries, cottoneasters and buffalo
berries.

Winter 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.

The 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.

There are many different species of plants that are suitable
for attracting birds, not just the ones listed here. Plants
for birds include many native trees, shrubs, flowers and
vines. These plants can add the the beauty of your yard or
garden.

By Donna Long

Donna Long is a freelance writer and naturalist. She publishes Connecting-with-Nature.net, a website devoted to the study of nature close to home. She can be reached at donnalong.net.