Why Native Plants Part 1: Do you like baby birds?

by Murray Moore

Do you like birds? Yes?

Do you fill and re-fill a bird feeder in your yard? Yes?

How many baby birds will you see feeding at your bird feeder this spring?

Trick question. None, is the answer.

Baby birds in a nest need baby bird food to eat to survive to become adult birds.

Baby bird parents feed their offspring a diet including caterpillars and moths, baby bird food available to be eaten by baby birds only when our native insects are able to feed on their food, native plants.

The chain of bird life is native plants -> native insects eat native plants -> baby birds eat native insects (caterpillars and moths) -> baby birds grow to be adult birds.

Remove native plants and... many fewer birds.