Within the coldest months, when birds appear scarce, look to your native conifers. These hardy timber and shrubs are a winter lifeline for birds and different wildlife. Birds feast on evergreen seeds and sap—plus the bugs the vegetation appeal to—and take shelter within the branches when many different timber are naked. Some specialised birds (taking a look at you, Spruce Grouse) even eat the powerful, waxy needles.
Studying to tell apart the key kinds of native evergreens will help you hone your winter observations and deepen your appreciation of the seasonal dynamics between birds and native vegetation. Get hyperlocal: Many chicken species go to a number of sorts of conifers, so take note of which birds in your space flock to which sorts of timber, and see when you can pinpoint what attracts them.
Whereas a educated eye could possibly establish conifers by refined variations of their cones, bark, and total form, the simplest solution to distinguish the key teams of native evergreens is to take a detailed have a look at the tree’s needles—and alliterative mnemonics will help you retain them straight.
You’ll find native conifers rising wild or in parks, and relying on the place you reside and your rising house, you possibly can develop many sorts at house. Take a look at Audubon’s Native Plants Database to discover all of the vegetation suited to your space and your native birds, together with evergreens.
Pine
A surefire solution to inform when you’re taking a look at a pine tree is to test its plural needles, which at all times develop in clusters or “packets,” often in teams of two, three, or 5. Some species cut up open cones to eat the seeds, and plenty of nest in pine timber.
Who loves them: Clark’s Nutcracker, Calliope Hummingbird, Purple Crossbill
Spruce
Deal with with care! In comparison with different conifers, spruce needles are stiff and spiky. However with a particular four-sided, or sq., form, the needles will roll simply between your fingers, one other helpful clue for identification. Many birds search spruces’ nutrient-dense seeds.
Who loves them: Night Grosbeak, Fox Sparrow, Darkish-eyed Junco
Fir
Fir needles are flat and versatile—a “pleasant” handful in comparison with pricklier evergreens like spruce. Look carefully to admire a singular characteristic: Every needle attaches to the department with a base that resembles a suction cup. Dense branches supply refuge for birds in winter.
Who loves them: Purple-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee, Noticed Owl
Hemlock
At first look hemlocks look lots like firs, however as a substitute of sucker-like attachments, every needle sprouts from a skinny stem: “hems have stems.” Hemlock needles are additionally sometimes shorter, and you will generally discover needles of various lengths on the identical department.
Who loves them: Black-throated Inexperienced Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, Hermit Thrush
Cedar
Now that you understand your conifers, you will see directly what’s uncommon: As a substitute of needles, North America’s native “cedars” (really cypresses) have flat, scaly leaves. Birds eat the cones in addition to resident bugs like carpenter ants.
Who loves them: Cedar Waxwing, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pileated Woodpecker
This story initially ran within the Winter 2024 concern as “Know Your Conifers!” To obtain our print journal, develop into a member by making a donation today.
