Plants for Birds Salal

Photo by Ollie Oliver Band-tailed Pigeon (Columba fasciata)

Band-tailed pigeons appear similar to Rock pigeons (feral pigeons) except for their long tails. The Band-tailed pigeon is often found in large flocks from dozens to hundreds of individuals.

While foraging on the ground, these birds are searching for fruits, nuts, and seeds.

This bird lives in a variety of forested habitats along the West Coast and can often be seen in suburban areas feeding at backyard feeders (as seen above). They can travel up to three miles from breeding sites to feeding sites.

Although technically summer residents, this pigeon can be found year-round in cities and areas where backyard feeders and shrubs with berries are common. Photos by Donna Franklin and Fayla Schwartz, Washington Native Plant Society Salal An excellent groundcover, Salal produces white/pink flowers (May-July) and dark blue berries. It bears fruit enjoyed by waxwings and band-tailed pigeons, and provides food for caterpillars and butterflies, which in turn become food for insect-eating birds. The flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds.

Salal grows from 2 to 6 feet tall and quickly spreads to form dense thickets. It can be planted under conifers or other trees where most shrubs will not survive and is extremely adaptable to a variety of sun and soil conditions. The amount of shade will determine how tall the plant gets, with shadier conditions producing a taller shrub. Salal can be hard to establish, but once established, it can be a challenge to remove.

The berries were eaten fresh, dried into cakes, or used as a sweetener by Native Americans.