Attract birds with just your zip code

NEW YORK – With spring arriving earlier than usual and bird migration currently underway, the National Audubon Society invites nature enthusiasts to grow bird-friendly native plants at home. Through Audubon’s Plants for Birds public online database, anyone nationwide can access a list of native plants that benefit their favorite local bird species, by just typing in their zip code.

“Did you know that 96 percent of land birds feed insects and spiders to their chicks? A single nest of chickadee babies may scarf down as many as 9,000 caterpillars before they fledge. Native tree species are better for birds because they host many more caterpillars; native oaks support more than 550 kinds of butterflies and moths. Non-native Ginkgo trees? Only five.” said Tod Winston, Plants for Birds program associate at Audubon.

Gardens are outdoor sanctuaries for birds, insects and other wildlife. Every spring, migrating birds visit our yards looking for nourishment from our gardens and places to raise their chicks. By adding native plants to one’s yard, balcony, container garden, rooftop or public space, anyone, anywhere can not only attract more birds but give them the best chance of survival in the face of climate change and urban development.

Most landscaping plants available in nurseries are exotic species from other countries. Many are prized for qualities that make them poor food sources for wildlife. They generally also require more chemicals and water to thrive, increasing maintenance time, costs and environmental hazards. Some can even become invasive.

“Birds and native plants are made for each other thanks to millions of years of evolution,” said Dr. John Rowden, Audubon’s director of community conservation. “As plants grow and bloom earlier because of warming temperatures, there is a growing mismatch between bloom times and the arrival of birds that depend on them. Habitat provided by native plants can help climate threatened birds adapt and survive.”

By growing native plants, you can help protect birds while turning your home into a private wildlife paradise. If you plant it, the birds will come. Local Audubon centers and chapters, native plant nurseries, and retailers are listed on Audubon’s native plants database for anyone seeking more information and where to obtain the right plants. To learn what plants are best for your area, as well as get extra bird-friendly home tips, gardening DIY’s, and more, visit audubon.org/plantsforbirds

What’s that bird outside your window? Download Audubon’s free app today and get an award-winning field guide at your fingertips, audubon.org/apps