Plants For Birds
Restoring native plant habitat is vital to preserving biodiversity. By creating a native plant garden, each patch of habitat becomes part of a collective effort to nurture and sustain the living landscape for birds and other animals.
Native plants are those that occur naturally in a region in which they evolved. They are the ecological basis upon which life depends, including birds and people. Without them and the insects that co-evolved with them, local birds cannot survive.
For example, research by the entomologist Doug Tallamy has shown that native oak trees support over 500 species of caterpillars whereas ginkgos, a commonly planted landscape tree from Asia, host only 5 species of caterpillars. When it takes over 6,000 caterpillars to raise one brood of chickadees, that is a significant difference.
Bird Friendly Blooms
Bird-Friendly Blooms is comprehensive partnership between Audubon chapters and green industry partners including garden centers, nurseries, and landscapers, in an effort to make native plants more accessible to local communities.
Appalachian Audubon Society Currently Partners with:
The annual Birdy Dozen features six flowering plants, three shrubs, and three trees native to the Mid-Atlantic region that support birds, insects, and other wildlife. And the companion piece offers plant suggestions for attracting songbirds, pollinators, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These plants are as beautiful as they are beneficial. They support insect species that are crucial for nestlings, as well as adult birds. They produce food in the form of nectar, seeds, nuts, and berries. And, they provide essential shelter and nesting space for birds.
Find the Birdy Dozen Lists Here:
How to Build a Native Plant Garden
Want to learn more about creating a native plant garden?
Check out these resources:
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Native Garden Templates
DIY Garden Designs | Audubon Pennsylvania
Home - Wild Ones South Central Pennsylvania Chapter
How to build a pollinator garden | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov)
Join the Bird Friendly Habitat Community Today
Plant: Create your bird-friendly habitat using the four elements of food, water, shelter, and nesting sites. Not sure what that looks like? Check out our guide, 4 Tips for a Bird-Friendly Habitat or start with our sample garden plans.
Register: Tell us about the Bird-Friendly Habitat at your home by completing the application (online or by mail). Enrollment requires a one-time $25 donation that provides a yard sign for you and sustaining support for the program.
Showcase: Shine a light on your efforts by posting your Bird-Friendly Habitat yard sign. It can spark neighborhood conversations that result in more people adding more healthy habitat.
Inspire: Share your story and spark action in others. Tag us on social media (@AudubonPA), join our Facebook Group (coming soon), or send us your story by email. A picture says a thousand words so be sure to include a few to share.