A thriving garden is more than just flowers and greenery—it’s a living ecosystem where birds, plants, and even squirrels all play their part. Feeding birds in your garden can bring joy year-round, while also supporting wildlife in natural ways. With the right plants and feeders, you can create a haven that attracts colorful birds while keeping a healthy balance with curious squirrels.
The Role of Plants in Bird Feeding
Bird feeders are helpful, but your garden’s plants can also provide natural food sources for birds. By choosing bird-friendly plants, you give them nutrition while making your garden more vibrant. Popular choices include:
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Sunflowers – Birds like finches and chickadees love their seeds.
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Coneflowers and Black-eyed Susans – Seed heads feed sparrows and goldfinches.
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Berry bushes like elderberry, dogwood, and serviceberry, which attract thrushes, robins, and cardinals.
Leaving seed heads and berries untrimmed in autumn ensures your feathered visitors find plenty of nourishment.
Bird Feeders and Squirrel Visitors
While bird feeders attract beautiful songbirds, squirrels often show up too. These clever animals love seeds, nuts, and suet, and they won’t hesitate to raid a feeder. Instead of seeing squirrels as pests, many gardeners embrace them as part of backyard wildlife.
To keep balance:
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Use squirrel-proof feeders that limit access but still let birds feed comfortably.
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Provide separate squirrel feeding stations with corn or nuts to distract them.
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Plant nut-bearing trees like oak or hickory to give squirrels natural food sources.
Why Feeding Birds Matters
Supplemental feeding helps birds, especially during colder months when insects and seeds are scarce. A garden rich with plants, feeders, and water sources becomes a sanctuary, supporting biodiversity while giving you the daily pleasure of birdwatching.
Creating a Balanced Garden
The best bird-friendly gardens work with nature rather than against it. Plants provide food and shelter, feeders add extra support, and squirrels contribute to seed dispersal. Together, they make your garden an active, thriving habitat.
Bird feeding goes hand-in-hand with smart planting and accepting all forms of wildlife—including squirrels. By combining native plants, well-placed feeders, and a few squirrel-friendly strategies, your garden can become a lively retreat where birds sing, squirrels play, and plants flourish.
