Bird Friendly Habitat

Bird-Friendly Habitat

Anchor BFH

Birds have lost a tremendous amount of habitat due to human development. Our Bird-Friendly Habitat team seeks to improve bird habitat in private yards and public spaces across our area through public education and demonstration gardens.

Birds need food, shelter, nesting areas, and water. Native plants (plants which existed here before European settlers arrived) are key components and the foundation of a healthy ecosystem. That's why we promote the use of native plants in landscaping, whether for a yard, patio, park, school, or business.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Photo: BudOhio

Nashville Warbler. Photo: Shirley Donald, Audubon Photography Award.

Native plants attract a higher number and greater diversity of beneficial insects. Those insects make great bird food! Ninety-six percent of land birds feed insects, particularly caterpillars, to their nestlings. Birds also eat the nutritious seeds, nuts, berries, and nectar from native plants.

Native shrubs and trees provide shelter and nesting opportunities.

Eastern Bluebird. Photo: Andrew Sentipal/Audubon
Photography Award.

Eastern Bluebird.Photo: Danny Brown/Audubon Photography Award.

Here are helpful links for more information and tips for making your yard into a bird-friendly habitat. Start small and have fun! Let our team know if we can help. Just email us at senecarocksaudubon@gmail.com.

The National Audubon Society and Pennsylvania Audubon both provide helpful information about native plants and bird-friendly habitat.

4 Tips for a Bird-Friendly Habitat

Why Native Plants are Better for Birds and People

Ten Plants for a Bird-Friendly Yard

Landscaping with Native Plants in Pennsylvania

Sources for Native Plants

The Native Plants Database lists plants that are native for your zip code and allows you to select the type of plant, the food it provides to birds, and even the type of bird you want to attract. Amazing!

Pollinator Plants Arranged by Bloom Time

Three Garden Plans by Audubon Mid-Atlantic

More Garden Plans by Prairie Moon Nursery, used with their permission. Please note that not all of the plants used are native to Pennsylvania.

Native Plants for the Small Yard is a 60-page booklet that includes beautiful garden plans as well as tables of information about specific native plants.

We've recently joined the Bird Habitat Recognition Program conducted statewide by the Pennsylvania Audubon Council. A property qualifies for a colorful 10"x14" aluminum sign if it provides birds with their basic needs of food, water, shelter, and nesting opportunities.

Click the link above for a description of the program and a digital application. It costs $30. When the Council lets us know that you've qualified, we'll throw in a free one-year membership to SRAS (worth $10-15) to sweeten the deal!

Finally, if you invite birds into your yard, please keep them safe. Consider keeping your cat indoors. If

you have bird-window collisions, treat your windows so that birds can see the glass. Click onto these two excellent resources to find simple solutions for making your windows visible and for improving your night time lighting. Thank you!