Planting with Purpose: A natural approach to feeding backyard birds
There is something undeniably joyful about watching birds flit between shrubs in the landscape or perch on seed heads in a garden.
Their songs and colors bring life to the landscape, and for many gardeners, providing food for birds is an important goal. While bird feeders are a common approach, a more sustainable and ecologically rich method is to feed birds through the plants we grow.
Thoughtfully designed landscapes can offer year-round nourishment for both familiar backyard visitors and species facing population decline. By including native plants that provide seeds, berries, nuts, nectar and insect habitat, gardeners can help support a wide range of bird species right outside their doors. A bird-friendly yard also fosters a deeper connection to the rhythms of the seasons and the biodiversity of our region.
Birds like the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), American goldfinch (Spinus tristis), black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) and blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) are well-loved visitors to many Western Pennsylvania yards. These birds thrive on a mix of seeds, berries and insects.
Finches and cardinals relish seed heads from native wildflowers, while jays and woodpeckers seek out acorns and nuts. Chickadees depend heavily on insect larvae, especially during nesting season. By growing a diversity of plants to support their natural food sources, we reduce reliance on artificial feeding and help create a more balanced, resilient and even flourishing local ecosystem.
A bird-supporting garden should include a mix of annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees to contribute to a bird’s buffet. Native flowering plants are essential for seedeaters and pollinators alike.
In summer and fall, purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), and goldenrod (Solidago spp.) produce seed heads that goldfinches and sparrows adore. Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) and columbine (Aquilegia spp.) offer nectar for hummingbirds, while attracting insects that feed other birds. Allowing these plants to stand through winter, rather than cutting them back in fall, gives birds ongoing access to food and shelter.
Many birds, including eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis), wood thrushes (Hylocichla mustelina) and cedar waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) depend on native berries for energy, particularly during migration and in winter. To provide berries throughout the season consider planting serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.), American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) and dogwood (Cornus spp.). These shrubs not only feed birds but also support native insects, providing larvae that parent birds depend on to feed their young.
Oaks (Quercus spp.) are among the most valuable trees for wildlife, supporting hundreds of insect species and producing acorns relished by jays, woodpeckers and nuthatches. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) offers blue, berrylike cones that attract waxwings and sparrows. American hazelnut (Corylus americana) yields small nuts appreciated by blue jays and small mammals alike. Native grasses like little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) produce seeds while also offering ground-nesting habitat and shelter during harsh weather.
Create a sustainable bird-friendly garden by selecting the appropriate plants and incorporating the following helpful suggestions. Plant in layers by using groundcovers, mid-height shrubs, and midsize and taller trees to mimic a natural woodland edge.
Choose native over ornamental plants because many non-native ornamentals produce little or no food for birds or insects, whereas plants native to Pennsylvania have evolved to provide what birds need. Leave seed heads standing. Don’t remove all leaf litter because it supports overwintering insects that in turn support ground-feeding birds. Avoid pesticide use, as insects are the primary diet for many birds during nesting season. Provide a clean water source, such as a birdbath.
Supporting birds’ needs goes beyond backyard beauty — it is a vital contribution to conservation. By planting native wildflowers, preserving small patches of meadow, and allowing leaf litter to remain undisturbed, gardeners provide critical food and nesting grounds for a variety species. By planting for birds, you’re not just offering them a meal, you’re cultivating a garden full of life, color and song.
Every seed head left standing, every berry-laden shrub and every patch of wildflower-rich meadow contribute to a larger ecological network that supports both birds and the broader environment. In short, the best bird feeder might just be your garden.
Penn State Extension offers additional information on gardening to attract birds (https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/chester/how-to-gardening-brochures/gardening-to-attract-birds). If you have questions about native plants and shrubs to support birds in your backyard habitat, call the Penn State Master Gardeners of Butler County Garden Hotline at 724-287 4761, ext. 7 or email the Master Gardeners at butlermg@psu.edu.
Danielle Fannin is a Penn State Extension Butler County Master Gardener.
