Plants for Birds and Wildlife



Spicebush

Birds and wildlife have adapted to utilize native plants that provide food, cover, nesting sites or a combination of resources. Native plants provide food at different times of the year to birds in the form of seeds, fruit or as invertebrate host sites. The growth habits of native plants present recognizable, safe nesting sites and cover that protect birds from inclement weather and predation. The importance of these plants to birds, insects and other wildlife cannot be overstated.

Using native plants in your backyard landscape will offer the most resources to birds and wildlife and serve as rewarding attractants.

Birds to Help



The populations of many bird species are at risk due to habitat loss. The fragmentation, degradation, and development of land limit their sources of food, nesting sites, clean water, and protective cover. Some of the species at risk are specialists, found in very specific habitat types. Other species include those that are considered common, but whose populations are beginning to decrease.

Why does it matter?

Birds are important indicators of environmental health and play a significant role in maintaining the earth's ecological balance--propagating plant life as pollinators and seed dispersers and controlling insect populations. Birds also bring beauty and enjoyment to our lives as one of the most accessible forms of wildlife. If their populations are in decline, it can mean that our natural resources are in trouble as well.

However, the creation, restoration, and protection of natural habitats can offset the results of poorly planned land use. By identifying the bird species that need the most help in a specific area, individuals can work to ensure the birds' survival for future generations.