Birds and berries share a long-standing relationship, with many bird species relying on these colorful fruits as a significant food source. This natural connection highlights the role berries play in supporting avian populations. Understanding which berries are beneficial and which can be harmful helps in fostering healthier environments for birds.
Berry Favorites for Feathered Friends
Serviceberries, also known as Juneberries, ripen early in the summer and are favored by robins, cedar waxwings, and thrushes. Elderberries, with their dark purple-black fruits, are attractive to a wide range of fruit-eating birds like Baltimore orioles and eastern towhees, offering a prolonged food source. Dogwood berries provide high-fat content, which is particularly beneficial for migrating songbirds in the fall.
Viburnum species, such as arrowwood viburnum and nannyberry, offer berries high in fats and carbohydrates, crucial for migrating birds. These blue-black fruits often persist into winter, providing a food source when options are scarce for birds like grouse and northern flickers. Sumac berries, found on sumac plants, also remain on branches into late winter, serving as a food source for robins, flickers, and downy woodpeckers. Other appreciated berries include those from native bayberry species, which boast nearly 50% fat, sustaining birds like yellow-rumped warblers through colder months.
Nutritional Value and Ecological Role
Berries are a high-energy food source, providing birds with essential carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and antioxidants. These nutrients are crucial for maintaining energy levels, especially during cold temperatures or migration. The fat content in many native berries is valuable for birds that need to build up energy reserves for long journeys or to endure winter. For instance, some native berries can be up to 50% fat by weight, unlike invasive species which often contain less than one percent fat.
Berries also play a significant ecological role by facilitating seed dispersal. Birds consume the fruit, and the seeds pass through their digestive systems, often deposited far from the parent plant, aiding in plant propagation. This mutualistic relationship ensures the continuation of diverse flora and fauna. Berry-producing plants also contribute to ecosystem health by attracting pollinators and supporting insect populations, which serve as another food source for birds, particularly during spring and summer.
Berries to Steer Clear Of
Not all berries are safe for birds. While birds tolerate some compounds better than humans, caution is necessary. Holly berries are toxic to humans and pets; birds should consume them only in small quantities. Mistletoe berries are toxic to humans and some domestic animals, though consumed by various bird species like bluebirds and robins.
Pokeweed berries are poisonous to humans and most mammals, though birds such as mourning doves, mockingbirds, and bluebirds can consume them. All parts of the plant, especially the roots, seeds, and mature stems, contain toxic chemicals. Observations of birds eating certain berries do not imply they are safe for human consumption. Some ornamental shrubs, like Nandina, contain lethal doses of cyanide in their berries and have been linked to bird deaths.
Cultivating a Berry-Rich Habitat
Creating a berry-rich habitat attracts diverse birds to your yard. Planting native berry-producing shrubs and trees is recommended, as native species offer superior nutritional value. Consider a variety of plants that produce fruit at different times of the year to ensure a continuous food supply. Examples include serviceberries for early summer, elderberries for late summer, and winterberry holly or sumac for fall and winter.
Beyond providing food, a bird-friendly environment includes shelter and water. Avoid using pesticides, as they can harm birds or reduce their insect food sources. Explore natural pest control methods and organic gardening practices. A clean water source, such as a bird bath, alongside food and shelter, supports avian health and encourages birds to frequent your space.