By using the right plants in your landscape, you can welcome many birds to your home. When trying to attract birds, you must consider food, water and shelter. Depending on the type of bird, their natural foods are seeds, fruits, insects, nuts and nectar. For water, birds need birdbaths, puddles or shallow ponds. For shelter, birds seek a safe place from the elements and predators.
Evergreens provide excellent shelter as do thick shrubs and vines.
Try to think in terms of the seasons and select a variety of plants that will provide food as much of the year as possible. Plants that hold their fruit into the winter are very important. You may need to supplement their food for the winter, but with careful selection of plants, your garden should be able to provide some of their winter needs. A complete list of plants that attract birds is available at Petitti Garden Centers.