Birds are more than just colorful ornaments in our landscapes. They are living beings that can bring immense joy and learning opportunities to our lives.

Gardeners know the frustration of dealing with insects that wreak havoc on our plants.

Thankfully, birds are natural allies in our battle against these pests.

During the breeding season, which coincides with the peak of the garden growing season, birds become voracious insect hunters.

Caterpillars, beetles, aphids and other common garden pests become a vital part of their diet as they forage to feed their hungry offspring.

Birds of prey, such as hawks and owls, play a crucial role in maintaining balance within our garden ecosystems.

They are formidable predators that help control rodent populations around our homes and gardens.

By inviting birds of prey to our outdoor spaces, we contribute to a natural form of pest management that supports the health of our gardens.

The benefits of having birds in our gardens extend beyond pest control.

Songbirds, such as finches, towhees and sparrows, have an appetite for a variety of seeds.

This includes seeds from both native plants and those that might be classified as weeds.

By consuming these seeds, these birds inadvertently contribute to weed control, helping to keep unwanted plant species in check.

Creating a welcoming haven for birds involves more than just offering food, it entails selecting the right plant species that provide sustenance and shelter.

Native plants play a pivotal role in drawing birds to our gardens. Here are some native plant species that birds find irresistible:

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis): These multi-stemmed woody shrubs, 12 feet in height, boast clusters of small, dark berries that birds relish.

Apart from being a nutritious food source, elderberries attract insects that in turn become a protein-rich diet for birds during breeding season.

More than 120 species of birds benefit from elderberries, including Vireos, thrashers, catbirds, and ground-nesting birds such as grouse.

Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea and Ratibida pinnata): Coneflowers not only beautify our gardens, but produce seeds that birds adore.

Each species provides seeds that are essential energy during lean times.

Purple coneflowers add a pop of color to the landscape and is a favorite of goldfinches.

Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata, C. tripteris, C. verticillata): Ranging in height from two to nine feet, these yellow blooms develop seeds that sustain seed-eating birds throughout the growing season.

Finches, grosbeaks, sparrows and mockingbirds feast upon the seeds.

Plant coreopsis in masses or incorporate it throughout the garden to benefit birds and pollinators.

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin): Spicebush is a woody shrub that grows six to 12 feet tall.

Berries ripen in the fall in time for the migration of many songbirds.

Spicebush is host to two species of swallowtail butterflies.

Blue jays, nuthatches, sparrows and waxwings use spicebush as a source of food and shelter.

Note that this species is dioecious, that is, female and male flowers are on separate plants. Grow both to have berries for birds.

As you tend to your plants, consider how you can also tend to the needs of our birds, creating a sanctuary in your own backyard.

“Growing Green” is contributed by Diane Dorn, Lehigh County Extension Office Staff, and Master Gardeners. Information: Lehigh County Extension Office, 610-391-9840; Northampton County Extension Office, 610-813-6613