Feature Article Gardening for Songbirds by Marc Radell O ne of my favorite paintings has most melodious omens on Earth! If you always been The Song of the Lark by have never heard a wood thrush sing, Jules Adolphe Breton. In it, a peasant read no farther until you have listened laborer is transfixed upon hearing a to the recordings at www.allaboutbirds. lark at dawn. Even those of us living in org/guide/Wood_Thrush/sounds. comparative prosperity often take joy These wondrous sounds are possible in the sight and sound of the creatures because the wood thrush has two sets we call ‘songbirds.’ I certainly do, and of ‘vocal cords’ and can actually sing I would like to share with you how I overlapping melodies. have learned to attract them to my yard In addition to beautiful (75 species so far!) through a variety of vocalizations, songbirds such as Black-throated green warbler gleans cater- gardening practices. warblers, tanagers, orioles, and finches, pillar from sugar maple. have striking plumage that brings many conservationists consider the additional color and movement to our amount of available insect material home gardens. It comes as no surprise, to be the limiting factor in songbird then, that many people want to attract populations on the lands they manage. songbirds to their yards. So, the “food” part of gardening for The current avifauna of the Mid- songbirds includes a heavy emphasis Atlantic evolved in a post ice age, on providing the plant material that pre-European contact environment, insects prefer. This may seem counter dominated by mature deciduous intuitive to gardeners, who often think forests. Each forest layer, from canopy of themselves as constantly battling trees down through understory trees insect pests, but most of those pests and shrubs to herbaceous plants and are nonnative insects (e.g., Japanese the forest floor, provided one or more beetles) attacking nonnative plants of the necessities for survival—food, (e.g., tomatoes, tea roses). In a natural water, and cover—throughout the year. ecosystem, mature, healthy plants Most of these forests have been lost or seldom die from insect damage due to a degraded through logging, agriculture, combination of the plants’ own defense Art Institute of Chicago. Used with permission. development, fragmentation, invasive systems and the control of insect Jules Adolphe Breton, The Song of plants and pests, and overbrowsing by populations provided by predators, the Lark deer. As gardeners, we can mitigate parasites, and diseases. This system About Songbirds some of the loss by looking to these gets skewed upon the introduction of Songbirds comprise the suborder richly vegetated and layered forests exotic plants and insects. Oscines of the order Passeriformes for inspiration in creating our own (perching birds), within the class Aves songbird habitats.* (birds). Of the approximately 167 Food species of oscines in the Mid-Atlantic Perhaps the most significant part area, the largest is the common raven of songbirds’ overall diet is insect (27" long) and the smallest is the material. About half of adult songbirds golden-crowned kinglet (4" long). feed mostly on insects and all of them Oscine derives from the Latin provide insects to their young. In fact, oscen meaning “bird that gives omens by its cry.” Indeed, the complex vocal * People who garden in coastal zones apparatuses that characterize oscines or other areas that were not previously enable them to produce an incredible forested can contact their local chapter of American robin gathers algae from pond for the Audubon Society for advice specific to nest-building. range of sounds, including some of the their geography. Vol. 30, No. 4 Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Group 3 About ninety percent of shallow (2" or less) bowls. Several herbivorous insects evolved to baths in a variety of heights (from circumvent the natural chemical almost flat to 30") and various defense systems of only a few plant locations will attract a greater number species. Most native insects simply of species. Changing the water at least cannot eat exotic plants. Therefore, once per week keeps it suitable for using native plants whenever possible drinking and all but eliminates the is crucial to maintaining the level of chances of breeding mosquitoes. Keep insect material necessary to support low-growing vegetation several feet breeding songbirds. away to deter predators; provide taller Because of their volume, trees Cedar waxwing eats berry of Eastern red shrubs or trees close by for birds to provide the most leaves, nectar, pollen, cedar. safely preen and dry their plumage. and seeds for the insects that contribute nonnative bush honeysuckles are low When it comes to attracting to songbirds’ diets. The top five genera in the protein and fat that birds need for songbirds, water features seem to be of trees that support caterpillars and fitness and energy and that the berries the anchor stores of the backyard: the other key insects are Quercus (oak), of Kousa dogwoods are too large for higher the quality, the more desirable Salix (willow), Prunus (cherry, plum), most American songbirds to consume. the patrons. For this reason, I highly Betula (birch) and Populus (poplar, The more that you can incorporate a recommend creating a naturalized cottonwood). Many early-blooming wide range of native fruits spanning water garden stocked with native trees, including those that are primarily different heights and seasons into marginal plants. The sound of moving wind-pollinated, also attract hordes your landscape, the more species of water alerts night-flying migrants to its of small flying insects, to the delight songbirds you will attract. presence and encourages them to land of resident and migrant songbirds. Trees and shrubs with early nearby. Water features also establish In spring, even seedeaters, such as summer fruit include Betula, Populus, a whole new ecosystem full of insects chickadees, become adept flycatchers. and Alnus (alder). One of the few and fruits for birds to consume and herbaceous perennials with early fruit also provide mud and algae for nest- is Fragaria (strawberry). Midsummer building. fruit ripens on such woody plants as Salix, Amelanchier (serviceberry), Cover In order to provide cover for songbirds Sassafras, Lindera (spicebush), from predators and the elements, a Rubus (raspberry), and Vaccinium garden should provide suitable nesting (blueberry). The fruit of most other sites and materials as well as shelter for woody and herbaceous plants ripens fledglings and adults. in late summer or fall to meet the Ovenbirds, song sparrows, and demand of hungry juvenile and migrant Eastern towhees are some of the songbirds, in addition to breeding songbirds that nest on the ground in Red-breasted nuthatch pries insect from adults who survived the summer. Of wooded or shrubby areas. To attract blue spruce bark. course, anyone who grows blueberries such ground nesters, allow duff to can tell you that birds usually eat the Moving down through the accumulate around trees and shrubs fruit before it ripens. Such is the case vegetative layers, some shrubs that and underplant them with ferns and for most fruits. Still, it is important to support multiple species of insects other herbaceous vegetation. Brush grow a wide variety of fruiting plants, are Vaccinium (blueberry), Corylus piles provide nesting sites and shelter especially those like Ilex (holly) and (hazelnut), Rosa (rose), Hamamelis for sparrows, wrens, and thrashers. Juniperus (juniper) whose fruit can (witch hazel), and Viburnum. Every stratum of vegetation— persist all winter. Herbaceous perennials of particular shrubs, vines, understory trees, and importance to insects for songbirds Water canopy trees—contains suitable nesting include Aster, Comptonia (sweet fern), Like other terrestrial lifeforms, Solidago (goldenrod), Urtica (nettle), songbirds must ingest water to survive. Coreopsis, and grasses. Even songbirds that obtain most of Many adult songbirds feed on their water through eating insects or fruits, both fleshy (e.g., berries, drupes, berries usually enjoy the occasional pomes) and dry (e.g., nuts, achenes sip of pure water. Many of the same or “seeds”). Because of coevolution, sources of shallow water suitable for native fruits prove to be the best source drinking are also convenient bathing of nutrition for songbirds of the Mid- spots. Atlantic in terms of quality, timing, The easiest way to provide water and edibility. For instance, studies for songbirds is via birdbaths, which have indicated that the berries of should feature no-slip surfaces and Red-winged blackbird on nest in common cattails. 4 Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Group July 2016 locations for different songbirds, so be Marc’s Top sure to include as many strata as you Recomendations to can in your design. Densely branched evergreen trees and shrubs, including Attract Songbirds Juniperus, Ilex, and Picea (spruce) Over the more than ten years that offer winter shelter, as well as valuable I have been rehabilitating my nesting sites. property to attract songbirds, I have Many songbirds, including seen that the following practices chickadees, titmice, wrens, swallows, contribute substantially to increase and bluebirds, nest or seek shelter in their number and diversity. the cavities of live or dead trees. Such Chipping sparrow and Northern cardinal bathing. ❧❧Simulate the structure of a cavities may occur naturally in decay- forest or forest edge by providing prone live trees, like Acer or Quercus, at least Memorial Day. Watching layers of native vegetation: canopy or be excavated by woodpeckers. orioles, catbirds, jays, cardinals, and trees, understory trees, shrubs, and Woodpeckers may excavate holes other songbirds peel fibers from these herbaceous perennials. Songbirds in living or dead trees, though they dead stems is well worth a few gasps instantly recognize quality habitat. generally avoid live trees with profuse from the members of your garden club. sap (e.g., Acer, Pinus, Picea) or very The floss of Asclepias and Cirsium ❧❧Avoid or minimize the use of hard wood (e.g., Quercus, Juglans). toxic herbicides and pesticides. (thistle) seeds also provides fibers for Just about any dead tree or large branch Even if they do not kill food insects the nests of goldfinches, warblers, and or songbirds, toxic chemicals will do, however, so consider leaving hummingbirds. can weaken them and make them these snags in place if they do not present a safety hazard. Summary susceptible to disease, parasites, and Songbirds help maintain a healthy, predation. balanced ecosystem and preserve ❧❧Leave leaves alone. Leaf litter biodiversity. To attract the greatest provides an excellent foraging area variety of songbirds to your yard, use and increases the overall sensation native trees, shrubs and herbaceous of having a quality forest. plants in naturalized layers, provide an attractive water feature, and avoid ❧❧Support local land conservation using toxic chemicals. agencies. Our yards seldom provide habitats large enough to sustain And don’t forget to take the time many breeding songbirds. Without to just sit and enjoy their beauty. Why conserved lands nearby, we would Baltimore oriole pulls fiber from Eastern should you garden for songbirds? not have as many songbirds. bluestar for nest. Because you can! By incorporating a small-scale * Twigs, feathers, lichen, moss, ❧❧Keep cats indoors, or bell or green roof into your premises, you can ** mud, fur, plant fibers, and algae collar cats, especially during spring provide ecological services including comprise some common nesting breeding season. Outdoor cats are the habitat creation for birds and insects, materials. The loose, fissured bark of leading cause of death among both pollinator sustenance, and enjoy pest- Vitis makes ideal nesting fabric, as do birds and mammals in the United free gardening while moving toward grass leaves and the cellulose fibers States, killing between a widely more sustainable living. Your small from the stems of Amsonia (bluestar), estimated 20–100 million up to 3.7 efforts combined with those of others billion birds each year. Asclepias (milkweed), and Phytolacca in your community can contribute (pokeweed). Do not cut back these ❧❧Reduce lawn space. Turn as much these environmental advantages while herbaceous plants in the fall, but let the of your property as you can over to conferring health benefits to you. native plants. A diversity of native stems and leaves weather throughout plants and insects will attract many the winter and remain standing until more songbirds that the monoculture Marc Radell is a Master Gardener of turf. If you do maintain turf, mow Volunteer for the Penn State Extension it as high and as infrequently as of Montgomery County and a regular possible and allow insect-friendly instructor at the Morris Arboretum of the “weeds” such as violets, clover, University of Pennsylvania. He works dandelions, and plantain to remain. as an environmental planning manager at a leading design firm and founded * www.saga.co.uk/magazine/home- gardeningingforplanetearth.org to promote garden/pets/cats/protecting-garden- ecofriendly gardening in Southeastern birds-from-cats Pennsylvania. ** www.audubon.org/news/how-stop- Ed Note: Unless otherwise indicated, all Common yellowthroat eats Joe Pye weed cats-killing-birds pictures in this article are ©Marc Radell. seeds during fall migration. Vol. 30, No. 4 Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Group 5 Some Native Plants That Provide Food for Songbirds (also look for other native species in the represented genera) Attracts Fleshy Botanical Name Common Name Dry Fruit Other Attributes Insects Fruit

Acer saccharum Sugar maple Yes Late Provides nesting cavities, early pollen, and sap Betula nigra River birch Yes Early Hosts ~400 species of caterpillars, spring seeds Celtis occidentalis Common hackberry Yes Late Host for hackberry emperor butterfly Fagus grandifolia American beech - Late Beechnuts are among most important wildlife food Nyssa sylvatica Blackgum Yes Late Provides nesting cavities, special value native bees Pinus strobus White pine Yes Late Evergreen, hosts ~200 species of caterpillars Prunus serotina Black cherry Yes Late Fast grower with high wildlife value Quercus alba White oak Yes Late Jays and woodpeckers cache acorns for winter Salix nigra Black willow Yes Mid Hosts ~400 species of caterpillars Understory Trees (less than 65' tall) Amelanchier arborea Downy serviceberry Yes Mid 40 bird species eat fruit, special value native bees Cornus florida Flowering dogwood Yes Late High wildlife value Juniperus virginiana Eastern redcedar - Late Evergreen, winter-persistent, berry-like cones Malus coronaria Sweet crab apple Yes Late Thickets provide cover, special value native bees Rhus typhina Staghorn sumac Yes Late Winter-persistent berries, special value native bees Sorbus americana American mountain ash Yes Late Special value native bees Sassafras albidum Sassafras Yes Mid Larval host for silk moths and swallowtail butterflies Vines Lonicera sempervirens Trumpet honeysuckle Yes Late Semi-evergreen leaves, cover, fruit Parthenocissus Virginia creeper Yes Late High wildlife value, larval host for sphinx moths quinquefolia Vitis riparia Riverbank grape Yes Late High wildlife value Shrubs Cornus amomum Silky dogwood Yes Late High wildlife value Ilex verticillata Winterberry - Late High wildlife value in winter Lindera benzoin Spicebush Yes Mid Larval host for silk moths and swallowtail butterflies Morella pensylvanica Northern bayberry - Late Semi-evergreen with winter-persistent berries Rubus occidentalis Black raspberry Yes Mid Abundant summer food, cover Sambucus nigra subsp. Berries eaten by 48 species of birds, special value American elder Yes Late canadensis native bees Vaccinium corymbosum Highbush blueberry Yes Mid Special value native bees Viburnum dentatum Southern arrowwood Yes Late A top berry-producer, special value native bees Herbaceous Perennials – Woodlands/Shade Phytolacca americana American pokeweed - Late Late Fall berries, winter-persistent seeds Fragaria virginiana Wild strawberry Yes Early Special value native bees Eurybia divaricata White wood aster Yes Late Tolerates dry shade Solidago flexicaulis Zigzag goldenrod Yes Late Special value native bees Chasmanthium latifolium Northern sea oats Yes Late Nesting materials, host plant for skippers Herbaceous Perennials – Openings/Sun Coreopsis tripteris Tall coreopsis Yes Late A goldfinch favorite Echinacea purpurea Purple coneflower Yes Late Winter-persistent seeds, special value native bees Eutrochium purpureum Sweet Joe Pye weed Yes Late Special value native bees Rudbeckia laciniata Cutleaf coneflower Yes Late Special value native bees Schizachyrium scoparium Little bluestem Yes Late Nesting materials, host plant for skippers Silphium perfoliatum Cup plant Yes Late Sessile leaves catch rainwater for songbirds Early = before summer solstice Mid = between summer solstice and autumn equinox Late = after autumn equinox

prepared by Marc Radell, Penn State Master Gardener Volunteer (2016)

6 Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Group July 2016