Native Grasses for Birds to Eat

Considerations

• Native grass varieties will provide adequate seeds for the local birds to devour. They will also support regional insect populations which also will help feed birds that visit the landscape. The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology states that native plants will attract a more diverse range of bird species than nonnative plant varieties. To counter some of the habitat destruction caused by urban sprawl, plant native grasses and other native plants to help sustain local bird populations. Consider placing a water feature in the landscape to attract even more birds to the yard. The birds will enjoy bathing in the water or drinking it.

Benefits

• Planting native grass varieties in the landscape can eliminate the need to mow or fertilize. Over time, the native grass varieties have adapted to grow in the local soil. They can thrive on the natural amount of nutrients found in the soil. Most of the grass plants have also evolved to subsist off the annual rainfall only and require no supplementary irrigation to exist unless a significant drought occurs. Big bluestem grows well in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 4 to 9. A hardy, ornamental grass, it reaches heights of up to 6 feet. The native grass once dominated the tallgrass prairie regions of the Midwest. Planting big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) will help support small local birds with tasty seeds throughout the winter months.

Grass Varieties

• Seed-eating birds will benefit from choosing from fescue grass varieties, sages, buckwheats and bunch grasses in the landscape. Choose grass varieties native to the region they will be planted within. Native sedge grasses (Carex spp.) occur across the United States and can provide perfect cover for birds to hide behind from predators. The sedge wren enjoys nesting in native sedge grass near a water source. The nomadic bird occurs across the eastern and central United States. The sedge wren enjoys nesting in Wisconsin within areas of dense tall sedge, according to the Wisconsin All-Bird Conservation Plan.

Going Native

• Use clumps of native grass varieties around the yard as focal points in flower beds or to create free-flowing meadow areas. Consider removing portions of high maintenance lawn grass and planting native grass varieties to benefit the local bird population and reduce water use. Buffalo grass makes a hardy, native grass choice. Avoid mowing the grass and allow it to go to seed to provide food for the birds. The grass offers hardiness down to a USDA zone 2. Choose meadow grasses native to the region they will be planted within. A bird meadow in California can benefit from having clumps of yellow-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium californicum), red fescue (Festuca rubra) or blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum) planted within it, according to Los Angeles Audubon.

Pesticides and Herbicides

• Avoid using pesticides or herbicides in the landscape. Pesticides will reduce the beneficial insects on the grass varieties, which will in turn affect the birds who depend on the insects for food. Herbicides can destroy native grass varieties.