A list of plants that naturally attract California Birds to your garden.
Bird Gardening does not have to be that different than normal landscaping, it just requires more thought. Try to stay with natives from your plant community or nearby communities, put the wetland plants next to the bird bath, and the dryland plants in the sunny parts of the yard, enjoy the birds and the garden!
For Bluebird info see Bluebirds or Western Bluebirds. Or try searching our site for the bird you're looking for.
Speak with a garden professional to find out which varieties are well suited for your area and which are more drought tolerant.
California Native plants that can attract bird life into your garden.
California Native plants that can attract bird life into your garden.
|
Genus/Species |
Common Name |
Part Used |
When | Specific Birds | Area? Cover? |
| Acacia Greggii |
Catclaw |
birds eat seeds | summer | in desert areas provides cover | |
| Abies concolor | White Fir | birds eat seeds | fall | Red Crossbill, Clark's Nutcracker, Pygmy Nuthatch, Blue Grouse | Mountains, provides cover and roosting and nesting sites |
| Acer macrophyllum | Big Leaf Maple | birds eat seeds, buds, birds work flowers | spring through fall | Evening Grosbeak, many other kinds of birds | along creeks in drier areas, away from water in more northern sections of California |
| Acer negundo var. californicum | California Box Elder | same as Big Leaf Maple | same as Big Leaf Maple | same as Big Leaf Maple | grows along streams mostly in valleys |
| Achillea borealis subsp. cal. |
Yarrow |
birds eat seeds | summer | Lesser goldfinch,Lawrence's goldfinch | many areas |
| Adenostoma fasciculatum | Chamise | birds eat seeds | summer | Lesser goldfinch,Lawrence's goldfinch | chaparral areas, provides cover |
| Alnus rhombifolia | White Alder | birds eat seeds,buds, provides cover and nesting materials | summer | Pine Siskin, Lesser goldfinch,Lawrence's goldfinchWarblers, Cedar Waxwings | grows in streams throughout coast ranges and western Sierras |
| Alnus rubra | Red Alder | same as white alder | same as white alder | same as white alder | grows mostly near streams, only found along coast from central California to Ore. |
| Amelanchier alnifolia | Western Serviceberry | fruits | summer | Blue Grouse, Catbird, Crow, Evening Grosbeak,, Western Scrub Jay, Yellow-billed Magpies, Mockingbird, American Robin , Townsend's Solitaire, Western Tanager, Sage Thrasher, Swainson's Thrush, Hermit Thrush, | Important food during summer, mostly mountain forests |
| Antirrhinum multiflorum | Many Flowered Snapdragon | birds work flowers, birds eat seeds | spring-summer | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird seed gleaners | large perennial |
| Aquilegia sp. | Columbine | birds work flowers | spring-summer | Anna's Hummingbird Allen's Hummingbird | species in mountains, desert, coastal areas, in moist, partly shaded areas |
| Arbutus menziesii | Pacific Madrone | fruit | fall | Band-Tailed Pigeon, varied Thrush, Long-Tailed Chat | in forests, mostly in the northern coast ranges |
| Arctostaphylos sp. | Manzanita | fruit, birds work flowers | summer-fall | Western Scrub Jay , Black-headed Grosbeak,, Mockingbird, Fox Sparrow, Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird | provides excellent cover, throughout California except deserts |
| Artemisia sp. | Sagebrush | birds eat leaves, birds work flowers, birds eat seeds | LEAVES-year round FLOWERS-spring through fall, depending on species SEEDS-fall through winter | Sage grouse, California quail, Mountain quail, Green-tailed towhee | throughout California, provides cover and nesting sites and perching sites |
| Asclepias sp. | Milkweed | stems | stems-early spring | used to construct Hooded Oriole nests | throughout California except directly on the coast |
| Aster sp. | Aster | birds eat seeds | seeds-fall | Lesser goldfinch Lawrence's goldfinch, sparrows | throughout California |
| Atriplex sp. | Saltbush | birds eat leaves, birds eat seeds | leaves-year round seeds-summer through fall | California quail, Lesser goldfinch Lawrence's goldfinchCalifornia Towhee, sparrows | shrub species provide cover, throughout California, will grow in alkaline or saline soils |
| Baccharis sp. | Mule-Fat, Water-Wally, Seep-Willow, Coyote Brush | birds eat seeds | seeds-summer through fall | Lesser goldfinch Lawrence's goldfinchand sparrows | evergreen shrubby species provide cover year round, found throughout California |
| Beloperone californica | Chuparosa (Spanish for hummingbird) | birds work flowers | flowers-spring to early summer | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird sip nectar from flowers, sparrows, Lesser goldfinch, Lawrence's goldfinchother birds eat flowers | along streams in the low elevation desert in southeastern Calif (Colorado or Sonoran desert) |
| Ceanothus sp. | California Lilac | birds eat seeds | seeds-summer through fall | mountain quail, California quail, | through most of Calif, provides good cover and nesting sites for many birds |
| Cephalanthus occidentalis | buttonbush, buttonwillow | birds eat seeds | seeds-summer through fall | ducks love seeds | in wet areas, at lower elevations, Central valley, northern coast ranges, is useful for cover and food |
| Cercis occidentalis | Western Redbud | birds eat seeds, birds work flowers | seeds-fall flowers-spring | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird, Lesser goldfinch,Lawrence's goldfinch | provides cover, food and nesting material, found in foothill areas of coast ranges and Sierras from mid-state northward and desert slopes of so. California mountain ranges |
| Cercocarpus sp. | Mountain Mahogany | birds eat seeds and birds eat leaves | seeds-summer to fall leaves-year round | blue grouse-seeds and other birds eat leaves | throughout California in mountainous areas, provides good cover |
| Chilopsis linearis | Desert Willow | birds eat seeds and birds work flowers | seeds-summer to fall, flowers-spring to fall | White-winged dove eat seeds, Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird work flowers | along streams in Mojave and Sonoran deserts, |
| Chrysothamnussp. | Rabbitbrush | birds eat seeds | birds work flowers summer to fall, birds eat seeds summer to winter | Lesser goldfinch, Lawrence's goldfinch House finch, pine siskin, California quail, (One of two main food sources for quail in areas where plant is common) | provides good cover, and is a major component of low elevation desert margins and high elevation deserts, some species in foothills, mountains, and alpine areas, |
| Cirsium proteanum(Cirsium occidentale var. venustum) | Red Thistle | birds eat seeds, butterflies and Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird like flowers |
birds work flowers summer to fall, birds eat seeds summer to winter | Lesser goldfinch, Lawrence's goldfinchpine siskin, | thorny sucker that is worked hard by birds and butterflies, native to many of the foothill areas |
| Comarostaphylis diversifolia | Summer-Holly | birds work flowers, fruits | birds work flowers late spring-early summer, berries present summer -fall | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird sip nectar from birds work flowers, berries eaten by mockingbirds, American Robin , Swainson's Thrush, Hermit Thrush,cedar waxwing, Phainopepla, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lesser goldfinch, Lawrence's goldfinchCalifornia Towhee, California Thrasher,, Western Scrub Jay, fox sparrow, Wrentit,other birds | located only at low elevations, coastal areas, San Diego County, |
|
Cornus sp. |
Dogwood | birds work flowers, buds and fruits | birds work flowers spring -summer, fruits summer-fall | flowers- western tanagers and warblers fruits-Western Bluebirds, Lesser goldfinch, Lawrence's goldfinch Mockingbirds, Swainson's Thrush, Hermit Thrush,flickers, Black-headed Grosbeak, kingbirds, Hooded Oriole, Yellow-billed Magpies, flycatchers, American Robin , sapsuckers, tree swallows, tanagers, California Thrasher,, vireos, warblers, cedar waxwings, woodpeckers, Band-Tailed Pigeon. Buds eaten by Band-Tailed Pigeon, other birds. | found in moist soils in forests and along streams, used for cover, a very valuable bird plant |
| Cupressus sp. | Cypress | birds eat seeds | Red-breasted nuthatch, probably others | found in chaparral and mountainous areas, scattered throughout California Probably used by the Red-breasted nuthatch, only in high mountain areas where it grows in association with conifers | |
| Delphinium cardinale | Scarlet Larkspur | birds work flowers | flowers- spring thru summer | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird love | grows in openings in woods, chaparral, and coastal scrub in the lower half of coastal California |
| Diplacus sp. | Monkeyflower | birds work flowers | flowers- late spring to midsummer | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird | grow throughout California, in scrub, chaparral and woodland, in rocky areas, birds work flowers last longer in afternoon shade |
| Dudleya sp. | Live-Forever | birds work flowers | flowers-spring to summer | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird visit | throughout California in rocky places, mostly grow in coastal scrub and chaparral, great in a rock wall |
| Eleocharis sp. | Spikerush | birds eat seeds, culms, tubers | seeds-summer to fall culms, tubers- all year | birds eat seeds, culms, tubers eaten by coots, ducks (mallard, pintail, redhead, ring-necked, lesser scaup, shoveller, cinnamon teal, green-winged teal) , Canada goose, snow goose, whistling swan, seeds eaten by Virginia rail, spotted sandpiper, common snipe | grows at water's edge, is of moderate importance to birds |
| Encelia californica | Coastal Bush Sunflower | birds eat seeds | seeds-spring thru fall | Lesser goldfinch, Lawrence's goldfinch sparrows eat birds eat seeds | dry, sunny areas in coastal scrub and chaparral, southern California |
| Epilobium- see Zauschneria | |||||
| Equisetum sp. | Horsetail | stems and rootstocks | stems and rootstocks all year | eaten by snow goose and whistling swan, likely other waterfowl | found in moist areas at edges of lakes and ponds, moist soil in many different habitats thruout California |
| Eriogonum sp. | Buckwheat | birds eat leaves, birds eat seeds | leaves-all year seeds- fall | leaves- eaten by blue grouse, California quail.Seeds eaten by House finch, Dark-eyed Junco, California horned lark, Bell sparrow, brown towhee, Spotted Towhee, other birds | good cover in open areas, very common in California in sunny, dry or well-drained places |
| Eschscholzia species | California Poppies | seeds | summer | California quail, love | annual to perennial |
| Forestiera neomexicana | Wild Privet, Desert Olive | fruit | fruit-summer | fruit eaten by California quail, American Robin and probably other fruit-eating birds | in dry areas, interior side of coast ranges, to southern California valleys, Mojave desert and desert mountains, not a common shrub |
| Fragaria sp. | Wild Strawberry | leaves- fruits | eat leaves all year, fruits summer, fall | leaves eaten by blue grouse, California quail, fruits eaten by American Robin , blue grouse, California quail,, Lesser goldfinch, Lawrence's goldfinch,Black-headed Grosbeak, sparrow, California Thrasher,, California Towhee, cedar waxwing, Western Scrub Jayand other birds | grow in sunny or shady, moist soils, very easy to cultivate, birds love them |
| Fraxinussp. | Ash | birds eat seeds | seeds-fall | seeds eaten by Wood ducks, California quail,, Lesser goldfinch, Lawrence's goldfinch Black-headed Grosbeak, cedar waxwings, sap is extracted and eaten by sapsuckers | grows mostly on moist soils such as near streams, rivers, moist areas |
| Galvezia speciosa | Island Snapdragon | birds work flowers | flowers-spring | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbirdsip nectar from flowers | Beautiful garden subshrub, not frost tolerant, grows in rocky areas, does best in afternoon shade in interior areas |
| Geranium sp. | Wild Geranium | birds eat seeds | seeds-summer | birds eat seeds eaten by Mourning Dove, California quail, California Towhee | Small perennials that grow in forest meadows, and edges, not dry areas |
| Helianthus sp. |
Sunflower |
birds eat seeds | seeds-fall | birds eat seeds eaten by Bush Tits, Lesser goldfinch, Lawrence's goldfinch other seed gleaning birds | deciduous perennial |
| Heteromeles arbutifolia | Toyon | Berries | winter | Band-Tailed Pigeon, berry lovers like Western Bluebirds and American Robin | large evergreen shrub, throughout California Except deserts |
| Heuchera maxima | Island Alum Root | birds work flowers | spr | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird | sub-shrub, perennial, north slope |
| Juglans calif. And Juglans hindsii | California Black walnut | nuts | winter | Western Scrub Jay | J. calif. Small dec. tree, J. Hindsii, large dec. tree seasonally wet coastal California Indian sites |
| Keckiella species | Bush Penstemons | birds work flowers | early spring-summer | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird | small bushes, usually summer dec., chaparral |
| Lavatera assurgentiflora | Malva Rosa | birds work flowers, birds eat seeds | summer fall | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird, seed gleaners | large bush, aggressive seeder in coast areas, native on islands |
| Lepechinia calycina | Pitcher Sage | birds work flowers | summer | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird | summer dec. bush, seasonally wet, most of state except deserts |
| Lonicera species(all) | Honeysuckles | birds work flowers and berries | spring, summer, fall | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird, California Towhee, California Thrasher,, American Robin , Western Bluebirds | rambling vine, seasonally wet, creek side everywhere |
| Lupinus species | Silver Lupine | birds eat seeds | summer | California quail, LOVE, other birds like | bush, everywhere |
| Mahonia | Nevin's Mahonia | berries | summer | Western BluebirdsLOVE, American Robin , California Thrasher, California Towhee | large evergreen bush southern Calif mountains |
| Mahonia aquifolium, M. repens, others Mahonia, Berberis except M. nevinii | Oregon Grape | berries | summer | California Thrasher,, American Robin , California Towhee, berry lovers | creeping bush, chaparral and forest |
| Malacothamnus species | Bush Mallows | birds eat seeds, Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird pick insects out of flowers | Summer through fall |
seed gleaners like bush tits, Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird pick tiny insects out of flowers |
bushes, semidec. In fall, chaparral |
| Mimulus species | Monkey Birds work flowers | flower | summer | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird | small to large perennial, wet places throughout |
| Monardella species | Coyote Mint | flower | summer | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird | small perennial, brushy and forest areas |
| Penstemons | flower | spring-summer | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird | perennials, throughout | |
| Pinus species | Pines | birds eat seeds, pick insects out of bark | always | Western Scrub Jayand Steller's Jays, White-breasted nuthatch, Red-breasted nuthatch,, many others | trees, all but deserts |
| Platanus racemosa | Sycamore | fuzz, and birds eat seeds | spring, winter | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird use fuzz for nest, seed gleaners eat | Trees, wet places throughout |
| Prunus species | Cherries | berry | summer | many, Western Scrub Jay | large bushes |
| Quercus species | Oaks | birds eat nuts (acorns), birds eat leaf galls, birds pick insects off leaves and twigs, birds use tree for nesting sites,birds pick insects out of bark birds use bark in which to store acorns | All year | The most!, Western Scrub Jayand Steller's Jays, Band-Tailed Pigeon, California quail, White-breasted nuthatch, Oak Titmouse and others eat acorns. Bushtits eat leaf galls. The Oak Titmouseand bushtitspick insects off leaves and twigs. Woodpeckers and White-breasted nuthatchpick insects out of bar. Woodpeckers store acorns in bark. | |
| Rhamnus species | Coffee Berry | drunk feeding frenzy when berry ripe | summer-fall | Western Scrub Jay, California Thrasher,, other berry eaters | large bushes, (R. crocea much smaller but little berries), seasonally wet places except desert |
| Rhus species | Sugar bush, Lemonade berry, etc. | Berry | summer-spring | California Thrasher,, California Towhee, Swainson's Thrush, Hermit Thrush,Warblers, Wrentit, etc | medium to large bushes, desert to chaparral |
| Ribes viburnifolium | Evergreen currant | berry, flower | winter-summer | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird, California Towhee, California Thrasher, | medium groundcover for shade, island north slope |
| Ribes species | Currants | Berry, flower | winter-summer | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird, California Thrasher,, Western Scrub Jayand Steller's Jays, etc. | medium deciduous. shrubs, north slopes |
| Rosa species | Wild Rose | hips | summer-fall | Western Scrub Jay, California Thrasher,, California Towhee, etc. | creeping deciduous. shrubs, seasonally wet places throughout |
| Salix species | Willows | most | always | many, young catkins eaten, scales, aphids, galls, etc. all very important part of that habitat | large shrubs frequented by birds from the surrounding communities, wet places throughout |
| Salvia species | Sages | birds work flowers and birds eat seeds | spring-fall | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird, seed gleaners | shrubs to perennials, sun to part-shade, desert to chaparral, not conifer forest |
| Sambucus >Sambucus species | Elderberries | Berries, birds work flowers, stem structure | always | all, a VERY heavily used bird bush, we have a Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird nest in ours most years | large dec. bush, seasonally wet places throughout |
| Scrophularia species | Bee plant, Figwort | birds work flowers, birds eat seeds | spring-summer | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird, small seed gleaners | perennials, chaparral |
| Shepherdia argentea | Silver Buffalo Berry | berry | summer | berry eaters | large dec. shrub, wet spots in desert mountains |
| Sidalcea species | Checkers | birds eat seeds | summer | California Thrasher,, seed gleaners | small perennials, grasslands |
| Solanum species | Nightshades | berry | summer | berry eaters have not been informed that these are supposed to be poisonous | perennials, S. hoffmanii is big groundcover or bush, all but deserts |
| Stachys species | Hedgenettle | birds work flowers | summer | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird | creeping perennials, all but deserts |
| Toxicodendron diversilobum | Poison Oak | Many birds eat fruits | Summer- fall- winter | Too many birds to imagine, VERY IMPORTANT to birds. California quail, Western Bluebirds, Bushtits, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Lesser goldfinch, Lawrence's goldfinch flickers, Dark-eyed Junco, Ruby crowned Kinglet, Yellow-billed Magpies, crows, sparrows, California Thrasher, Black Phoebe, sapsuckers, Swainson's Thrush, Hermit Thrush,Oak TitmouseCalifornia Towhee, wrens, woodpeckers, vireos, warblers, waxwings, wrentit, etc. etc. | Chaparral, woodlands, forests below 4500 ft. elevation |
| Trichostema lanatum | Woolly-blue curls | birds work flowers | summer | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird | shrubs, chaparral |
| Washingtonia filifera | Fan Palm | dates | summer-fall | Cedar waxwings, other large beaked birds | trees, oasis |
| Zauschneria species(Epilobium) | California fuchsia | birds work flowers | summer-fall | Anna's Hummingbird, Allen's Hummingbird | creeping perennial, seasonally wet spots through |
