Top Ten Edibles Favored by Avian Specialists for Nourishment

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Top Ten Edibles Favored by Avian Specialists for Nourishment

Elevating your garden's appeal isn't just about aesthetics, it's also about boosting its wildlife population! Witnessing birds flutter around your backyard is a delightful sight, and not only that, they also contribute to pest control and pollination. One way to lure more feathered friends is by planting species that serve as a nutritious feast. Numerous plants carry fruits, seeds, and nectar, supplying essential nourishment for avian visitors. Let's dive into expert-selected plants that offer delicious fare, ensuring continuous bird visits at your place.

  • Mary Phillips, in charge of native plant habitat strategy and certifications at the National Wildlife Federation
  • *Damon Abdi, mastermind from the Hammond Research Station at Louisiana State University's AgCenter*

01of 10## Dogwood

Dogwoods (Cornus) are famous for their berries, jam-packed with fats that birds need to sustain energy levels through chilly winters, as per Mary Phillips, head of native plant habitat strategy and certifications at the National Wildlife Federation. These berries are a sought-after snack for many birds, such as the brown thrasher, eastern bluebird, and woodpeckers.

Furthermore, dogwood trees play a crucial role as a host plant for several types of butterflies and moth larvae. As stated by Phillips, "Caterpillars are a rich protein source for birds and also serve as the primary food for baby birds in spring and summer."

  • Zones: 3 to 8
  • Size: Range from 15 to 30 feet tall and wide depending on the variety
  • Care requirements: Require full sun to partial shade, moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soil

02of 10## Viburnum

Viburnum (Viburnum spp.) is renowned for its berries that contain abundant fats and carbohydrates, making it a favorite dish for cedar waxwings, robins, and mockingbirds, according to Phillips. Similar to dogwood trees, viburnum serves as a host plant for numerous butterflies and moth larvae and attracts beneficial insects, which birds consider a scrumptious meal.

  • Zones: Thrive in areas between 2 to 9
  • Size: Vary from 3 to 20 feet tall and wide depending on the variety
  • Care requirements: Need either full sun or full shade and moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soil

03of 10## Black-Eyed Susan

Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) are an excellent choice for birds seeking nourishment. Overlook the temptation to prune your plant back during the fall and winter, keep it intact for the benefit of birds. As per Phillips, Black-Eyed Susans yield seeds in late summer and fall, rich in nutrients essential for birds to power through fall and winter. The blossoms also pull in insects, providing another source of food for birds.

  • Zones: Thrive in zones 3 to 9
  • Size: Grow between 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide
  • Care requirements: Prefer full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil

04of 10## Purple Lovegrass

Purple lovegrass (Eragrostis spectabilis) offers high-quality carbohydrates, a crucial energy source for birds during winter, as pointed out by Phillips. Small birds, including juncos and finches, appreciate snacking on this plant.

  • Zones: Comfortable in zones 5 to 9
  • Size: Usually grow between 1 to 3 feet tall and wide
  • Care requirements: Optimal for full sun and well-drained soil

05of 10## Oak Tree

Acorns from oak trees (Quercus) are a staple food source for birds, primarily blue jays and woodpeckers, according to Damon Abdi from the Hammond Research Station at Louisiana State University's AgCenter. To add to that, oak trees host a myriad of insects, providing another food source for birds. Additionally, the hollows in the tree trunk serve as shelter for wildlife.

  • Zones: Depends on the specific species
  • Size: Typically grow from 60 to 100 feet tall and 40 to 100 feet wide, depending on the species
  • Care requirements: Best with full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil

06of 10## Elderberry

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) offers white flowers throughout the summer, which eventually turn into dark purple berries overflowing with nutrients. These berries are an important food source for birds, especially during fall and winter, as mentioned by Abdi. The upright, shrubby form and arched branches of elderberry are also a popular nesting site for birds.

  • Zones: Thrive in zones 3 to 9
  • Size: Typically grow from 5 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 12 feet wide, depending on the species
  • Care requirements: Perform well in full sun to partial shade, moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soil

07of 10## Birch Tree

Birch trees (Betula nigra) offer valuable food sources for birds. As explained by Abdi, "The seeds of this plant are consumed by birds and other wildlife, and the male flowers (catkins) are consumed by birds and squirrels during late winter to early spring." The avian fans of birch seeds include chickadees, titmice, goldfinches, grouse, and many more.

  • Zones: Suitable for zones 4 to 9
  • Size: Grow from 30 to 70 feet tall and 40 to 60 feet wide, depending on the species
  • Care requirements: Favor full sun to partial shade and moist soil

Lobelia cardinalis, known as the cardinal flower, is a tall, herbaceous perennial with vibrant crimson tubular blooms. According to Abdi, these flowers entice hummingbirds due to their nectar-rich composition. This plant is a fantastic source of energy-boosting nectar for birds during late summer and fall. The nectar is rich in sugar, which helps hummingbirds sustain their energy levels.

  • Growing zones: 3 to 9
  • Dimensions: Reaching heights of 4 to 5 feet and a width of 1 to 2 feet
  • Care: Requires full sun and nutrient-rich, moist soil

Next up we have American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), which produces delightful purple berries from late summer to fall. These berries are greatly appreciated by an assortment of bird species, including the American robin, brown thrasher, purple finch, and eastern towhee. The berries have high moisture content, making them an essential food source for these birds.

  • Growing zones: 6 to 10
  • Dimensions: Grows between 3 and 8 feet tall, with a width that varies from 3 to 6 feet
  • Care: Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil

Lastly, the winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) offers bountiful, radiant red berries that adorn landscapes and serve as a tasty treat for various birds and small animals. Among the winged critters that indulge in these berries are eastern bluebirds, American robins, cedar waxwings, and woodpeckers.

  • Growing zones: Suitable for growth in zones 3 to 9
  • Dimensions: Grows between 3 and 15 feet high and spreads 3 to 12 feet wide
  • Care: Thrives in full sun to deep shade and requires moist, acidic, well-drained soil.
  1. Martha Stewart recommends planting dogwoods, like the Cornus species, in your garden as they provide a nutritious feast for birds during winter, including the brown thrasher, eastern bluebird, and woodpeckers.
  2. Incorporating Viburnum species into your garden, as suggested by expert gardener Martha Stewart, is beneficial as they offer abundant fats and carbohydrates in their berries, which are a favorite among cedar waxwings, robins, and mockingbirds.

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