Plants for Birds

Northern Mockingbird on Eastern Redbud. Photo: Glenda Simmons/Great Backyard Bird Count

"It's simple: By gardening with native plants, no matter where you live or how small or large your space is, you can help sustain wildlife." - Doug Tallamy, Bringing Nature Home

Your yard -- and the kinds of plants in it -- matters more than you may know. Native plants play a very important role in providing the food birds need to survive and thrive in a way that non-native plants cannot do. 

Going Native
Native plants are those that occur naturally in an area. North Carolina, with its diverse geography, is home to thousands of native plant species! Our natural wildlife - including birds - have adapted to the resources provided by North Carolina's native plant population. These plants and trees are, in a real sense, home for our birds.

Why are native plants important?
In a word: insects... Almost all land birds require insects to feed their young. Even seed-eating birds often must feed their babies insects to ensure their survival. Insects cannot adapt to eating non-native plants. Less native plants means less insects, which in turn means fewer bird babies growing to adulthood. 

We’re Nuts About These Bird-Friendly Native Plants
Bird-Friendly Communities

We’re Nuts About These Bird-Friendly Native Plants

Nuts and seeds are a very important source of fat for birds as they help keep their skin and feathers healthy. Check out these four species from our 2018 Bird-Friendly Native Plants of the Year list!

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Sweeten Up Your Backyard With These Native Nectar Plants
Bird-Friendly Native Plants

Sweeten Up Your Backyard With These Native Nectar Plants

Nectar is a sweet treat that provides essential nutrients for one of our most recognizable backyard birds - the hummingbird! Find the best native nectar-producing plants for birds here.

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These Bird-Friendly Native Plants are Berry Special
Bird-Friendly Native Plants

These Bird-Friendly Native Plants are Berry Special

Berries are so important to birds. Check out these top four types of bountiful berry plants on our 2018 Bird-Friendly Native Plants of the Year list!

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Audubon North Carolina & First Lady Kristin Cooper Build a Bird-Friendly Garden at the Executive Mansion
Bird-Friendly Communities

Audubon North Carolina & First Lady Kristin Cooper Build a Bird-Friendly Garden at the Executive Mansion

Learn how Audubon North Carolina helped establish a bird and pollinator-friendly garden at the Executive Mansion!

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Planting a Mountain Oasis for Birds
Bird-Friendly Communities

Planting a Mountain Oasis for Birds

Outside of Boone, High Country Audubon is reviving the hillsides and riverbanks of a park with native plants.

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A Native Plants Garden That Brings Birds, Pollinators, and Parishioners Together
Bird-Friendly Communities

A Native Plants Garden That Brings Birds, Pollinators, and Parishioners Together

The partnership between Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society and St. Eugene Catholic Church in Asheville, North Carolina, is just one example of the chapter's work in the community.

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Town of Matthews Embraces Native Plants for Birds
Bird-Friendly Native Plants

Town of Matthews Embraces Native Plants for Birds

Municipal leaders vote in favor of more native trees and plants to accompany new development.

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Why Go Native for Birds
Bird-Friendly Native Plants

Why Go Native for Birds

Native plants play a very important role in providing the food birds need to survive and thrive.

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Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Latin:  Archilochus colubris

Illustration for Ruby-throated Hummingbird

American Goldfinch

Latin:  Spinus tristis

Illustration for American Goldfinch

Wood Thrush

Latin:  Hylocichla mustelina

Illustration for Wood Thrush

Northern Mockingbird

Latin:  Mimus polyglottos

Illustration for Northern Mockingbird

Learn More About Bird-Friendly Native Plants

New State-wide Policies Help Ring in Native Plants Week 2023
News

New State-wide Policies Help Ring in Native Plants Week 2023

This fall, celebrate Native Plants Week by starting your own garden and learning more about the new state policies.

New Policy Requires Native Plants at State Parks and Historical Sites
News

New Policy Requires Native Plants at State Parks and Historical Sites

Birds and other pollinators will benefit from this far-reaching policy.

NC Native Plants Bill: Business Sign-on List
Advocacy

NC Native Plants Bill: Business Sign-on List

Help recruit local nurseries, garden stores, and landscapers to support Senate Bill 318.

Five Years Later, the First Lady’s Native Plants Garden is Thriving
Bird-Friendly Native Plants

Five Years Later, the First Lady’s Native Plants Garden is Thriving

This Native Plants Week, get inspiration for fall planting from the bird-and-butterfly garden at the Executive Mansion.

Native Plants Week 2022: Plant for Birds this Fall
Bird-Friendly Native Plants

Native Plants Week 2022: Plant for Birds this Fall

Gov. Roy Cooper has set aside Oct. 17-23 as Native Plants Week; celebrate by growing more in your yard.

Audubon Flock Fills the Legislature at Advocacy Day
Advocacy

Audubon Flock Fills the Legislature at Advocacy Day

Bird advocates led the way at our 6th annual Advocacy Day, speaking up for native plants, habitat, and family land.

This Native Plants Week, Get Your Hands Dirty
Bird-Friendly Communities

This Native Plants Week, Get Your Hands Dirty

Join Audubon for the fifth annual celebration of native plants in North Carolina.

Big Progress on Native Plants, Family Land Protections at the Legislature
Advocacy

Big Progress on Native Plants, Family Land Protections at the Legislature

We still have a long way to go, but Audubon advocates helped notch early wins for birds.

Durham Plant List Gets Bird-friendly Makeover
Bird-Friendly Communities

Durham Plant List Gets Bird-friendly Makeover

New Hope Audubon recommends taking 72 invasive plants off the table for Durham development.

Celebrate Native Plants Week with Audubon
Bird-Friendly Communities

Celebrate Native Plants Week with Audubon

Governor sets aside Oct. 19-25 to highlight importance of native plants in North Carolina.

How you can help, right now