February 2001 Newsletter He who plants a garden finds happiness - Chinese proverb Plants that Attract Birds Birds are among a gardener's favorite visitors. Not only are they beautiful to watch and interesting to learn about, but they are also nature's most efficient insect predator, making them valuable garden allies. In an afternoon one house wren can snatch up more than 500 insect eggs, beetles and grubs. There are four basic requirements to supply for birds, and food is the easiest. It will only take a few days once you have put a feeder out to attract birds. Although it is best to provide as natural a habitat as possible for the birds where plants are the primary food source, feeders can provide nurishment during winter, drought and other times when the natural food supply is low. Plus, bird feeders, carefully placed, provide endless entertainment for you and your family. Ground Feeders Juncos, mourning doves, towhees Up High Feeders Finches, grosbeaks, nuthatches, titmice and chickadees In order to attract as many birds as possible, use a variety of feeders and place them at varying heights widely separated from each other. Locate them near the protective cover of a tree or shrub. To help you provide a natural habitat for birds, the listing below will help you choose plantings for your surroundings. TREES THAT ATTRACT BIRDS COMMON NAME BOTANICAL NAME FRUIT ZONE American holly Ilex opaca Fruit matures in October and persists into winter. Zone 5-9 American hornbeam Carpinus caroliniana Small, ribbed seed-like nutlet Zone 3-9 Chinaberry Melia azederach 1/2" yellow drupe with bony seed that ripens in September-October; seed persists into spring Zone 7-10 Chinese dogwood Cornus kousa var. chinensis 1/2" pink to red drupe borne on long stalk late August through October Zone 5-8 Crab apples Malus cultivars; look for cultivar that produces fruit 'Autumn Glory' produces a glossy bright orange-red 1/4" oval in August that persists through January Zone 2-8 Choke cherry Prunus virginiana 1/3" red fruit turning to dark purple Zone 2-8 Cornelian cherry Cornus mas Bright cherry-red drupe in July; used in syrup and preserves Zone 4-8 Eastern hemlock Tsuga canadensis Slender cones 3/4" long, brown, hang like ornaments from tree Zone 3-7(8) Eastern Red cedar Juniperus virginiana Cones 1/5" across, brownish violet Zone 2-9 Eastern white pine Pinus strobus Cones 6"-8" long, light brown Zone 3-8 Hackberry Celtis occidentalis Fleshy, orange-red to dark purple rounded drupe ripening in September and October, persistent for several weeks Zone 2-9 Pin or wild red cherry Prunus pensylvania 1/4" light red sour drupe ripening in July through August Zone 2-5(6) Pitch pine Pinus rigida Cones 3" to 4" long, light brown and remaining 2 or more years on the tree Zone 4-7 Red mulberry Morus rubra Red turning dark purple, juicy, edible and relished by birds Zone 5-9 Shadblow serviceberry Amelanchier spp. Edible berry-like pome, round, changing from green to red and then to purplish black, slightly sweetish, loved by birds; ripens in June. Zone 4-9 Washington hawthorn Crataegus phaenopyrum 1/4" bright glossy red coloring in September and persisting all winter Zone 3-8 SHRUBS THAT ATTRACT BIRDS COMMON NAME BOTANICAL NAME FRUIT ZONE American cranberry bush Viburnum trilobum Bright red drupe early September into February, edible, used in preserves and jellies Zone 2-7(8) American elderberry Sambucus canadensis Purple-black, berry-like, August-September Zone 3-9 Autumn olive Elaeagnus umbellata Silvery fruits mixed with brown scales turing red in September to October; birds will spread seed everywhere Zone 3-8 Bayberry Myrica pensylvanica 1/5" drupe, waxy coating, September-April Zone (2)3-7 Cherry laurel Prunus laurocerasus Conical-rounded drupe, purple-black, summer Zone 6-8 Evergreen holly species Ilex spp.; great variety 'Sundance', abundant orange-red fruits that color early and persist late into winter Zone 5-9 Highbush blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum Berry, blue-black, rounded, edible, July-August Zone 3-7(8) Nannyberry Viburnum lentago 1/2" drupe, color starts out green, showing tinges of yellow, rose and pink before turning bluish black, September-November Zone 2-8 Oregon grape Mahonia aquifolium Blue-black berry, August-September; look like grapes Zone 5-8 Red osier dogwood Cornus stolonifera White berry; plant more known for red branches in winter Zone 2-8 Rugosa rose Rosa rugosa Urn-shaped structure, lustrous brick-red, August through fall; handsomely displayed against dark green foliage Zone 2-7(8) Saskatoon serviceberry Amelanchier alnifolia 1/2" berries, purplish-black, juicy and edible, July Zone 4-5 Scarlet firethorn Pyracantha coccinea Berry-like round pome, orange-red, ripening in September and persisting into winter; often spectacular Zone 6-9 Tatarian honeysuckle Lonicera tatarica Red berry coloring in July to August Zone 3-8 Winged sumac Rhus copallina Large clusters of purplish-red at tops of stems, lasts into winter Zone 4-9 Winterberry Ilex verticillata Bright red drupe, ripens September-November, very showy Zone 3-9 The other basic requirements are water, cover and nest sites. Normally a bird will get all the water they need from the food they eat, from dew and from rain; but nonetheless, a reliable water source makes life easier and can be critical during drought and in arid regions. A birdbath or shallow pan should be placed in the open and at least 3 feet off the ground. A spot near shrubs or overhanging branches will provide an escape route from cats and other predators. The water in the bath should be no deeper than 3 inches. Cover is any form of shelter from enemies and the elements. Different bird types like different kinds of cover. If you are looking to attract a certain kind of bird, investigate through bird books which cover they like best. If you are looking for a variety of birds, try to provide varied cover, such as evergreen types, densely twiggy shrubs and high grass. Additional nesting sites can be provided by birdhouses. Once again, different species have different housing requirements.