Beneficial Birds in the Garden
Why Do We Want Birds in the Garden?
There are many reasons to love birds in the garden. Number one is birds love to eat the pests. Many people who have chickens know how crazy chickens get when they see a caterpillar. Wild birds love them too. But, not only that, they love other annoying insects, like mosquitos, grasshopper, moths, and beetles. Some birds love stinkbugs (or squash bugs), snails, aphids, and ants. In addition, many birds are pollinators. Either they spread pollen when they drink nectar or when they flit branch to branch. Another reason for birds in the garden is that they control weeds. Before weed seeds get scattered on the ground, the birds busily snatch them off as a snack.
What Types of Birds in the Garden
Birds in the garden can be a big help. Then, why do people have scarecrows? Scarecrows are used to discourage birds from eating seed crops. Are you growing wheat? If not, you might try luring the birds to your garden. When birds eat pests, the pests are unable to destroy your vegetables.
Bluebirds: Prefer grasshoppers, moths, and beetles which prey on corn, barley, fruit, berries, roses, and soybeans.
Cardinals eat stinkbugs, squash bugs, snails, and beetles which eat roses, asparagus, soybean, melons, corn, lettuce, carrots, and cucumbers.
Chickadees eat aphids, ants, and caterpillars which protects cabbage, peaches, apples, potatoes, and corn.
Grosbeaks eat larvae, caterpillars, and beetles which protects tomatoes, soybeans, fruit, and berries. Grosbeaks come in several varieties that have darker orange or even yellow throats.
Nuthatches don’t just eat nuts, they prey on earwigs, ants, and borers. They protect against insects that eat beans, beets, strawberries, potatoes, cucumbers, and corn.
Orioles like to eat caterpillars, larvae, and beetles. These insects eat berries, tomatoes, fruit, roses, and asparagus.
Sparrows are common birds in the garden, in parks, cities, and rural areas. They eat beetles, cutworms, and caterpillars. These pests eat tomatoes, fruit, roses, soybeans, and berries.
As you can see, the birds often eat the larvae and caterpillar stage of pests. They are our guardians before the insects can do real damage.
Sunbirds, hummingbirds, orioles, and honeyeaters are the best beneficial pollinators. Since bee species are struggling, we can help promote these pollinators by putting out feeders and planting flowers that produce nectar.
Birds in the Garden need Water
The best way to attract birds to the garden is to put out a birdbath. Not many gardeners install a birdbath. This is unfortunate especially since temperatures are rising. Also, while only certain birds like a traditional bird feeder, all birds are attracted to water. Both pollinators and pest controllers will use a birdbath.
Here are a few links to birdbaths available on Amazon. The prices are as of the day I publish this post. The link will take you to Amazon in a new tab so you can explore all products. If you use my link to Amazon, the company will reimburse me for advertising their site, whether or not you buy a birdbath, or get distracted and buy another pair of garden gloves. I appreciate you supporting my blog through these links. Click on the price link to go to Amazon in a new tab.
Metal Birdbath $54.99
Ceramic Birdbath $98.81
Clay Bird Bowl $129.99
What Else Do Wild Birds Need?
The most obvious answer is a bird feeder. However, we are trying to get the birds to come to our garden plus eat the pests and weed seeds. Better not feed them yet. We can feed them during the winter! So, what else do birds want? Birdhouses, and lots of shrubs and trees to roost in.
Birds like to nest in trees and bushes. I cannot provide suggestions for bushes, trees, or birds in individual areas, but Audubon.org can. Visit this LINK to find out which native plants in your area attract the most native birds. Plant at least 3 types of trees, or bushes, to attract wild birds.
Finally, flowers attract pollinators. The best kinds of flowers are the ones that produce nectar such as Trumpet Vine, Honeysuckle, Columbine, Beebalm, and Lavender. In addition, berry bushes produce a lot of flowers for pollinators, but also the fruit loved by these and other birds. Berries provide a good source of energy during the fall and winter months when birds struggle to find other food sources.
Birds in the garden add a splash of color and movement. These birds also act as your garden brigade against pests and weeds. Help them out by providing some of the things they need to live and thrive. I hope you found this blog post informative. Please leave me a comment below. Stay healthy and happy as we make our way out of the Pandemic. For my fellow Americans, don’t forget to buy a flag at Amazon for the 4th of July plus don’t forget Father’s Day on June 20th.