It’s slim pickings for birds in the spring. Many of our native Plants for Birds produce their fruits and berries in the summer and fall. By the end of a long winter, birds are working hard to find the food they need to survive – but it’s out there.
Take a look around where you live to notice what the birds are eating. Focus on the plants. Don't worry about identifying the plants or the birds by name just yet. Observe what's going on and figure out where the birds are finding food.
When you're ready, take it to the next level. Here are a handful of native plants you might find near you and some birds who love them. Go on a scavenger hunt. The serviceberry won't be blooming until later this spring, but I love it so much I had to include it.
A set of Plants for Birds Card is available for you to print out and bring with you; scroll to the bottom of this page for the pdf file.
Want to explore more about native Plants for Birds?
- Visit Audubon's interactive Plants for Birds Database
- Download the Audubon Adventures: Plants for Birds magazine issuse
![Northern White-Cedar and Northern Cardinal Northern White-Cedar and Northern Cardinal](https://vt.audubon.org/sites/default/files/styles/bean_wysiwyg_full_width/public/northern_white_cedar.png?itok=t8Sbts8L)
![Staghorn Sumac and Black-capped Chickadee Staghorn Sumac and Black-capped Chickadee](https://vt.audubon.org/sites/default/files/styles/bean_wysiwyg_full_width/public/staghorn_sumac_0.png?itok=H5XJo4TT)
![Red Oak and Blue Jay Red Oak and Blue Jay](https://vt.audubon.org/sites/default/files/styles/bean_wysiwyg_full_width/public/oak.png?itok=lveHTYYi)
![Poison Ivy and Yellow-rumped Warbler Poison Ivy and Yellow-rumped Warbler](https://vt.audubon.org/sites/default/files/styles/bean_wysiwyg_full_width/public/poison_ivy.png?itok=Puu9lfrM)
![Paper Birch and White-breasted Nuthatch Paper Birch and White-breasted Nuthatch](https://vt.audubon.org/sites/default/files/styles/bean_wysiwyg_full_width/public/birch.png?itok=0hOZ_8Dz)
![White Pine and Hairy Woodpecker White Pine and Hairy Woodpecker](https://vt.audubon.org/sites/default/files/styles/bean_wysiwyg_full_width/public/white_pine.png?itok=JRwgFPhY)
![Serviceberry and Cedar Waxwing Serviceberry and Cedar Waxwing](https://vt.audubon.org/sites/default/files/styles/bean_wysiwyg_full_width/public/serviceberry.png?itok=EzHCSnEB)