Relationship Between Plants and Birds

The Relationship Between Plants and Birds

Disbursement of a plant's seeds over a large area is important to it's survival. Seeds that fall in close proximity to the parent plant must compete for water and light. Birds carry seeds far away from the parent plant making the species' survival more certain.

The fruits of many vines, trees and shrubs are by nature attractive to birds. Birds are attracted to bright colors such as red and orange. If the plants berries are black, blue or white, then the leaves and stems are red, yellow or orange. Size of the fruit is also a major attractant. Most fruit and berries that the birds will carry to a new area are 3/5 inches or less in diameter.

Birds eat the fruit containing the seed of select plants. The seed, during digestion, passes through the bird's gizzard causing natural scarification of the seed. The seed, along with natural nitrogen fertilizer passes in the bird's excrement to it's final resting place where it surly grow and provide fruit for the next generation.

Ripening fruits are important to both migratory birds and the birds that over winter in the same area where they breed and live. Fruits with high fat content ripen earlier in the fall and provide migratory birds with the high energy food they need to make the long trip home. Fruits with a lower fat content ripen later in the fall, and will remain on the plants well into winter, providing local birds with food for the winter.

Be on the lookout for plants the birds have gifted to you. They are cheap, easy to take care of (no care needed) and are very attractive year around.*

*Information for this article was taken from "The Bird Garden" A National Audubon Society publication by Stephen W Kress. Look for it at your local library or in book stores everywhere.