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Audubon At Home
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Plants for Common Birds
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| Northern Mockingbird, photo by George Jameson/NAS
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They are like old friends; the familiar birds that traverse through your yard or visit your feeder almost every day. They might be the birds you knew by name as a child: robin, cardinal, goldfinch, jay, or junco. These and many other abundant species are currently America’s common birds.
Birds rely on the resources that nature provides, often plants which supply them with fruits, nuts and an array of insects. Plants also provide shelter and nesting sites along with nest material, perches from which to survey, and safe places to sleep or wait out a storm.
Science has proven that certain birds prefer the foods and resources offered by particular native plants with which they may have coevolved. This provides a logical and simple solution to the question of how to help common species: plant the plants that the birds use. Plant a variety of species to mimic natural habitat.
Here are a few regional suggestions for some of your favorite birds. Check back often for an expanded plant database and further resources.
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Northeast
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Highbush Blueberry - Vaccinium corymbosum (shrub) attracts 30 species of birds including: American Robin, Eastern Bluebird, Scarlet Tanager, Eastern and Spotted Towhees, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, and Northern Cardinal.
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| Photo courtesy of University of Connecticut Plant Database www.hort.conn.edu/plants
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Eastern Red Cedar – Juniperus virginiana (tree) – attracts many birds including Cedar Waxwing, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, Ruffed Grouse, American Robin, Mourning Dove, Purple Finch, Common Crow, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Evening Grosbeak, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and Eastern Bluebird.
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| Photo courtesy of University of Connecticut Plant Database www.hort.conn.edu/plants
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Southeast
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Arrowwood Viburnum – Viburnum dentatum (shrub) attracts species including Eastern Bluebird, Northern Flicker, Gray Catbird, and American Robin.
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| Photo courtesy USDA-NRCS Plants Database/Herman D.E. et al 1996
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Southern Magnolia - Magnolia grandiflora (tree) – attracts species including Eastern Kingbird, Northern Mockingbird, Northern Flicker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Wood Thrush.
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| Photo by J.S. Peterson, USDA-NRCS Plants Database
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Central Plains and Prairies
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Big bluestem - Andropogon gerardii (graminoid/grass) provides cover for at least 24 species of songbirds and nesting site or seeds for Grasshopper, Henslow’s and other sparrows as well as nesting sites for Sedge Wren and Western Meadowlark.
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| Photo by Jennifer Anderson at USDA-NRCS Plants Database
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Gray dogwood - Cornus racemosa (tree) – Used by many species including Northern Cardinal, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, and Eastern Bluebird.
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| Photo courtesy of University of Connecticut Plant Database
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Western Mountains and Deserts
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Mesquite – Prosopis glandulosa v. Torr. (Western Honey Mesquite, tree) attracts species including Curve-billed Thrasher, Gambel's Quail, and White-winged Dove.
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| Photo by W.L. Wagner at USDA-NRCS Plants Database
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Rocky Mountain Juniper – Juniperus scopulorum (shrub) - attracts Cedar Waxwings, Northern Mockingbird, Evening Grosbeak as well as other species.
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| Photo courtesy USDA-NRCS Plants Database/Herman D.E. et al 1996
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Pacific Coast
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California Wax Myrtle – Myrica Californica (shrub) – attracts Northern Flicker, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Tree Swallow, California Towhee, Spotted Towhee among others.
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| Photo by J.S. Peterson, USDA-NRCS Plants Database
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California Live Oak – Quercus agrifolia (tree) – attracts Oak Titmouse, Western Scrub Jay, Steller's Jay, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and about 30 other species of birds.
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| Photo by J.S. Peterson, USDA-NRCS Plants Database
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