100 Plants to Feed the Birds

100 Plants to Feed the Birds (Laura Erickson)

100 Plants to Feed the Birds is a practical planting guide for anyone looking to support bird populations through intentional plant selection. Laura Erickson focuses on specific plant–bird relationships, showing how trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers provide seeds, berries, nectar, and insect habitat that birds rely on throughout the year. It’s a useful resource for designing landscapes that actively produce food for birds across seasons.

Key Characteristics

• Plant-by-Plant Guide to Bird Food Sources
  The book profiles 100 different plants, detailing exactly how each one feeds birds—whether through seeds, fruits, nectar, or by hosting insects. It highlights which bird species benefit, offering more specificity than general bird-friendly gardening guides.
• Seasonal Feeding Strategies
  Covers how to provide continuous food from early spring through winter by selecting plants with staggered bloom, seed, and fruiting times. This helps create a landscape that supports birds year-round, including during migration and colder months.
• Supports Insect-Eating Birds
  Many plants included are important for hosting insects that birds depend on, especially during nesting season. This adds another layer of habitat value beyond seeds and berries.
• Diverse Plant Types for Layered Habitats
  Includes trees, shrubs, perennials, and grasses, helping readers build multi-layered plantings. This approach supports a wider range of bird species by offering varied feeding and foraging opportunities.
• Actionable Garden and Landscape Applications
  Provides guidance on how to incorporate these plants into yards, hedgerows, and larger landscapes. It’s especially useful for those designing bird-focused gardens, shelterbelts, or diversified homestead plantings.

Product Details

• Format: Paperback
• Subject: Bird gardening, plant selection, habitat design
• Recommended Use: Planning bird-supportive landscapes and plantings
• Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate
• Language: English
• Illustrations: Plant references and possible bird imagery

Growing & Use Notes

Use this book as a planning tool when selecting plants for new or existing landscapes. Focus on layering plant types and staggering food availability to support birds through all seasons. Pair with observation—watch which species arrive as different plants come into bloom or fruit.