We know you love birds. That’s why you are here and reading this article. We can also guess that you like plants (the birds do, also). Have you ever thought about whether birds all look at all plants in the same way? Certainly, an Ann’s Hummingbird might be expected to have a completely different reaction to the Redwood Forest than it would to a clump of nice little red Penstemon. But do Bewick’s Wrens and Lesser Goldfinches make distinctions amount the plants in your yard?
It turns out that those two bird species have very different “uses” for any given plant in your yard. True, almost any plant will provide cover for the wren, but the goldfinch doesn’t run around on the ground. Some plants provide the wrens with insect food but that has little attraction for a goldfinch. On the other hand, a plant that produces small seeds will be important to the goldfinch but might not be so terrific to the wren.
If you start to look at your yard as a multileveled resource, you might throw up your hands in frustration. Fortunately, the Audubon Society is offering you a different approach entirely. They have an on-line program that asks you where you live (zip code) and then gives you a long list of plants that will grow in your neighborhood. But there is more! The site will also tell you which local bird species are most likely to be attracted to which plant species. Conversely, the site will let you pick out bird species you like and will tell you what plant species to put in your yard. It is a remarkable tool that you will want to experience and use. Click here to go to it: Native Plants | Audubon