Bird-friendly Gardening Guide
South Florida-style
Love birds? Like to reduce costs? Want to recreate native habitat? There are many reasons to garden for birds. Dig in with us!
Gardening for birds in subtropical South Florida is different than anywhere else in North America; our climate, seasons, plants and birds distinguish our region even within Florida. Because we are warmer and wetter, plants grow fast here and flowers can bloom year-round. The plants in your yard should provide the food, shelter and nesting habitat that birds need to thrive. Planting species native to our region ensures a steady supply of the fruit, nectar, berries and insects that our resident and migrant birds know and eat. By planting a wide variety of natives — each with its own life cycle — birds can find life-sustaining resources outside your door in every season. Recreating elements of nature within your available space is the goal. If it’s just a balcony, then simply pot a few well-chosen natives. If it’s a large yard, you can create your own ecosystem with forested clusters of mixed plant species, a meadow-like diverse lawn and even a pond-style water feature. Let nature be your guide. A diversity of naturalistically arranged native plants and habitat-emulating features will attract and nurture countless birds year-round!
GARDENING
with Bird-friendly Native Plants
Ensure diversity with six plant types
Different types of plants play differing roles in attracting and supporting a variety of birds year-round. Diversity is key! Six major plant types are described here, along with suggestions for the best bird-friendly native plants within each type. All are easy to grow. Ensure diversity in your yard by planting a healthy mix of species.
Diverse Lawns
Birds don’t like typical monoculture grass lawns; they prefer small patches of diverse lawn, which emulate meadows. Populated by a range of small plants, a diverse lawn provides nectar, fruit, seeds and insects for ground-feeding birds year-round
Suggested plants:bastard copperleaf, powderpuff mimosa, turkey tangle fogfruit
Short Statured Plants
Native wildflowers are prime examples of short-statured plants. They supply birds with nectar and seeds, attract insect pollinators that birds also eat, serve as colorful borders between other plant types and double as protective cover for birds.
Suggested plants:blue porterweed,dune sunflower,Florida yellowtop
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Vines
Vines fill spaces where other plants can’t grow, and they provide structural complexity where birds roost and nest. Some also provide food — nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies, caterpillars for insect-eating birds and diminutive fruit for frugivorous birds.
Suggested plants: corkystem passionflower, skyblue clustervine, Virginia creeper
Shrubs
Shrubs are essential in a bird-friendly garden. They provide much of a yard’s fruit, nectar and insects, as well as roosting/nesting sites for small to medium-sized birds. Shrubs are most effective when various species are planted in clusters and overlap as they grow, mimicking a natural forest edge. Adding thorny species offers protection from urban predators.
Suggested plants: buttonsage, firebush, Simpson’s stopper,white stopper
Trees
The difference between trees and shrubs in South Florida is often determined by trimming. Trees are generally shorter here than elsewhere, and shrubs can become quite large. When yard space allows, include large native trees as nesting and roosting habitat for owls, hawks and other large birds; large palms provide habitat for cavity-nesting birds.
Suggested plants: buttonwood, live oak, shortleaf fig, slash pine
Epiphytes
Epiphytes, which grow on other plants, rocks, walls and surfaces other than soil, derive their moisture and nutrients from our region’s humid air. They are a bountiful source of insects eaten by birds, and a delightful addition to the native landscape. Bromeliads, orchids, some ferns and a few cacti are types of indigenous epiphytes.
Suggested plants:Florida butterfly orchid, mistletoe cactus, resurrection fern, Spanish moss
1. Palm Warbler in diverse lawn; 2. Painted Bunting in blanket flower; 3. Red-eyed Vireo in Virginia creeper; 4. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in Florida privet;5. Red-bellied Woodpecker on sabal palm; 6. Black-throated Blue Warbler in Spanish moss. Photo credits:#s 1, 3, 4, 5 & 6 by Kirsten Hines#2 by Simon Tan Title page photo & credit:Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Firebush by Gary Robinette
Get involved, learn and dig-in!
Interested in gaining hands-on experience? Join Tropical Audubon Society’s Plants for Birds Eco-Restoration gardening days! Discover more about native plants while helping steward the Bird-Friendly Demonstration Garden at our Steinberg Nature Center campus every third Saturday of the month from 9 until noon.
Resources
These resources can help you dig in:
Learn more DIY tips and how to replicate our
Bird-Friendly Demonstration Garden
tropicalaudubon.org/plantsforbirds
Explore National Audubon Society’s Plants for Birds Program
to gain a conceptual overview of gardening for birds:
audubon.org/news/why-native-plants-are-better-birds-and-people
Get Florida-friendly Landscaping advice:
Match native plants to your zip code
at theInstitute for Regional Conservation’s Natives
for Your Neighborhood database:
regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn
Find native plant vendors located near you:
Planting a Better Place for Birds & People, too!
Thanks to Miami-Dade County & National Audubon Society for underwriting our Bird-Friendly DemonstrationGarden project!
