Ornamental Grasses for Birds

Seeds

• Many grasses, such as millet, are seed food sources that are easy to grow. Some seed heads can be removed and fed to birds during winter when food sources are scarcer. Prairie dropseed, Indian grass, big bluestem and switch grass are North American native grasses that have seeds attractive to birds. Inland sea oats, also called river oats or spangle grass, have flower stems that bear clusters of oat-like seeds. This is one of the few grasses that can be grown successfully in shade.

Corn

• Corn is a member of the grass family of plants. Gardeners who plant corn try to keep birds out of their cornfield, but an alternative is to specifically plant corn as vertical bird feeders. After corn dries on stalks, husks can be peeled down to expose the seeds. Corn and other grasses with broad leaves form little pockets at the leaf axils, where leaves meet stems. These pockets hold rainfall, providing drinking water for hummingbirds and other small birds.

Nesting Materials

• Ornamental grasses offer nesting materials to birds. Stems form the stiff structures for nests and flower fluff provides soft down to line nests. Many ornamental grasses, such as pennisetums and muhly grasses, produce downy plumes. Bunny tails, or hare’s tail grass, is an annual grass that grows easily from seed. It produces white, cottony fluff at the ends of its stems that birds pluck and use to line their nests. This soft fluff cushions eggs and the tender skin of featherless baby birds.

Shelter

• The University of Minnesota Arboretum has one of the largest collections of ornamental grass in the United States. The grasses provide year-round interest, but in winter they are especially beneficial for birds by providing shelter and protection. Switchgrass, miscanthus, moorgrass and Indian grass are species that grow several feet tall. They provide seeds and nesting materials for birds, but they have added value by providing them with winter protection. Even in snow, these ornamental grasses offer safe havens to birds underneath their protective foliage.