From Seed to Sky: How Native Plants Fuel Bird Life Year-Round
Birds and plants have been perfecting their partnership for millions of years, with migration schedules, breeding seasons, and food availability woven together in an intricate ecological dance. Even species we think of as “seed eaters,” like the familiar Northern Cardinal, rely on insect protein at critical times. Those insects, in turn, depend on the right native plants at the right time. This presentation will explore how bird migration is timed with plant flowering and fruiting cycles, and how those cycles are linked to the rise and fall of insect populations. We’ll look at how native plants outshine their non-native counterparts in supporting birds through every season – offering protein-packed caterpillars in spring, nutrient-rich fruits in summer, and fat-
laden seeds in fall and winter. Through vivid examples of standout native plant species, we’ll see exactly why these plants are ecological keystones. From fueling warblers on their long journeys to sustaining winter flocks, these plants are more than beautiful—they’re lifelines. By the end, you’ll see your yard, park, or roadside not just as a patch of greenery, but as part of a continent-spanning web that keeps our skies full of wings.