A Guide to Planting for Our Feathered Friends

To attract and support native bird populations, it’s crucial to create a safe and thriving habitat. Even if space is limited, adding birdhouses can offer a cozy sanctuary. But the secret to success lies in going native. Prioritizing native plants and trees helps meet the unique needs of local birds and promotes their overall well-being.

Planting For Bugs Is Planting For Birds

When it comes to planting for birds, many people think of berry bushes. While these can be beneficial, the first choice should be planting something for bugs. According to naturalist and author David Mizejewski, a pair of chickadees with a brood of four chicks will go through about 9,000 caterpillars in just 16 to 20 days. By planting keystone species such as oaks (Quercus), willows (Salix), and cherries and plums (Prunus), gardeners can attract the insects birds need to feed their young. Oaks alone can support up to 2,300 species of mammals, birds, insects and more.

Focus On Diversity

Increasing the diversity of micro-habitats is key. Gardeners can create spaces with shrub borders, flower beds and areas for long grass or mulch where birds can forage. Shrub host species such as spicebush (Lindera benzoin), wild gooseberry (Ribes missouriense) and chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) provide both food and shelter for a variety of birds.

Create A Bird Haven With Flowering Forbs

For ground cover, consider wildflowers. Birds are big fans of flower seeds. Instead of buying hanging bird feeders and accessories, real native flowers do the work of seeding—and once established, the upkeep is minimal. Certain birds, like the American goldfinch, may have specific preferences such as purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), so it’s important to research to attract desired visitors. Other seed favorites such as asters (Symphyotrichum) and goldenrods (Oligoneuron and Solidago) can be a welcome late-season seed source for hungry migrating flocks.

Final Thoughts: Supporting Birds And Biodiversity

Avoiding the use of pesticides and insecticides whenever possible is essential. Spraying can eliminate not only insects but also the potential for a yard to support more than a couple of nesting pairs of birds. Even with an abundance of berry-producing plants, it may not be enough to sustain a single pair of wrens if insects are absent. Any application of chemicals should be done with great care.

Birds have specific needs and instincts when selecting nesting and gathering spaces. Providing a safe environment where they can thrive is key. No matter the approach to planning a space for birds, going native will always be the way to go.

Kelsay Shaw is co-owner, sales consultant and botanist at PossibilityPlace Nursery LLC. He holds a Bachelor of Science in botany from Eastern Illinois University and has worked in the industry for more than 25 years. He has taught classes on native plants, lectured on their uses and environmental impacts, and handled the bulk of the nursery’s consulting on projects both large and small. Possibility Place Nursery is located at 7548 W. Monee-Manhattan Rd., in Monee. For more information, visit PossibilityPlace.com