Plants for Backyard Birds

This midsummer annual features bright yellow blooms in the mid-late summer, and sizable green foliage. The rapid growers offer an abundance of seed for backyard birds and are known to repel deer. Cardinals, jays, sparrows, and doves are fans. Sunflowers can reach heights of 8-10 feet. Zones 3-8

The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) breeds and winters in the eastern United States through the central part of the country. Look for all red plumage in male birds and yellowish-tan feathers on females. Length is 8-9 inches and wingspan is 10-12 inches. Eating habits are similar to the Cedar Waxwing, with a bulk of their diet including seeds and fruit.