Top Native Plants That Attract Birds in the Midwest
Creating a bird-friendly garden not only beautifies your landscape but also supports local wildlife by providing food, shelter, and nesting sites. If you're in the Midwest and want to attract more birds to your yard, consider adding these native plants—many of which are available on the Natural Communities website.
1. Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)
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Why Birds Love It: Produces edible berries rich in nutrients, attracting robins, cedar waxwings, and cardinals.
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Bonus Benefit: Provides nectar for pollinators and stunning spring blooms.
2. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
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Why Birds Love It: Offers berries and dense foliage for shelter. It's a favorite for cedar waxwings and bluebirds.
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Bonus Benefit: Provides excellent winter cover.
3. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
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Why Birds Love It: Seeds attract goldfinches and other songbirds.
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Bonus Benefit: Pollinators flock to its summer blooms.
4. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
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Why Birds Love It: Produces seeds that are favorites for finches and sparrows.
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Bonus Benefit: Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant.
5. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
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Why Birds Love It: Provides nectar for hummingbirds and attracts insects for insectivorous birds.
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Bonus Benefit: Aromatic leaves can deter deer and rabbits.
6. Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
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Why Birds Love It: Berries attract robins, thrushes, and woodpeckers.
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Bonus Benefit: Fast-growing and doubles as a privacy screen.
7. Oak Trees (Quercus spp.)
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Why Birds Love It: Hosts caterpillars and insects that birds feed on. Acorns provide food for jays and woodpeckers.
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Bonus Benefit: Long-lived and excellent for shade.
8. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
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Why Birds Love It: Seeds feed sparrows and other ground-feeding birds.
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Bonus Benefit: Provides erosion control and works well in rain gardens.
9. Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
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Why Birds Love It: Attracts hummingbirds with its nectar-rich flowers.
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Bonus Benefit: Adds early-season color and thrives in shady spots.
10. Dogwood (Cornus spp.)
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Why Birds Love It: Berries are a staple for cardinals and thrushes.
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Bonus Benefit: Stunning fall foliage and year-round interest.
Conclusion
Adding native plants to your landscape creates a haven for birds and supports a healthier ecosystem. Many of these plants are available at Natural Communities, making it easy to start building a bird-friendly habitat today.
Discover Audubon's Native Plant Database where you can find the best plants for the birds in your area. Growing bird-friendly plants will attract and protect the birds you love while making your space beautiful, easy to care for, and better for the environment.