Native Plants, Critical Hosts for Baby Birds

Did You Know?

A pair of chickadees must feed their young between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars a day while they are nesting and continue feeding them for another 21 days after they leave the nest! Caterpillars provide an excellent source of protein for the growing nestlings.

Bird nesting season occurs in the spring from late March through late June. The size of the clutch will vary depending on the weather, the health of the female, and food availability.

The prime food source for most birds feeding their young consists of insects: caterpillars, butterflies, moths, larvae, spiders, flies, and bees.

Native plants are critical hosts for protein-rich native insects like moth and butterfly caterpillars, which nesting birds prefer to feed their growing youngsters.

Plant native elderberry bushes, serviceberry trees, and sunflowers and incorporate wildflowers into your perennial gardens to attract more birds and insects.

Happy Gardening!

Photo is of the native wildflower Double False Sunflower

Double False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)