Songbirds Attracted to Summer Flowers-Benefits of Songbirds

We all hear it, that is, those of us who are up early! That crazy cacophony of discords in early morning right before sunrise. Birds chattering louder and louder until finally the sun breaks and the sound subsides. Then much later in the day, those loud, unharmonious sounds that we recall from first light are replaced by the captivating, melodious songs of songbirds. I am always intrigued by the sound of songbirds. The timbre stops me in my tracks, makes me peer into the trees to see from where the sound hails, and always puts a smile on my face. Read on to learn about which summer flowers attract songbirds, and discover the many benefits one gets from listening to that sweet melody from our feathered friends.

Nightingale bird singing while sitting on a limb. Pixabay

Nightingale/Pixabay

How Songbirds Effect Our Mood

Studies have shown that the sounds of songbirds can alleviate anxiety, depression and paranoia in otherwise healthy participants. According to Psychology Today, “bird song has a more powerful effect than simply being exposed to nature”.

The birdsong taps into the gentle rhythmic flow of our parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). This activation triggers physiological changes which slow our heart rhythm, relax our muscles, and create a better sense of balance.

Birdsong therapy has been employed in psychology sessions, creating serene environments full of nature and birds’ songs. These relaxation sessions help self-regulate caregivers and those they care for. Caregivers can use the same techniques at home by manipulating the environment to create spaces of tranquility and restoration.

Birdsongs also make you happy and can soothe the winter doldrums.

A Few Songbirds and Their Lovely Sounds

Baltimore Orioles live in both the Americas’ forests, orchards, and backyards.

2. The Tufted Titmouse inhabits deciduous and mixed forests in southern Ontario and Quebec and the eastern United States.

3. Blackbirds have adapted well and can live in forests, grasslands, residential areas, and cities. They are commonly found in North America, South America, Europe, Western Asia and north Africa.

4. American Goldfinches reside in fields, parks, backyards, near thistle, and most everywhere in North America except in deep forests.

5. Wood Thrush dwell in thick forests in the eastern United States, Pacific northwest and rainforests of Central America.

6. Warblers live in central and northern North America. They prefer deciduous wooded areas.

Summer Flowers

Why Songbirds are Attracted to Summer Flowers

Songbirds love to drink nectar, the sweet tasting liquid that nourishes them. As you know, nectar is found in flowers. When songbirds drink the nectar from one flower and continue onto another, they are helping with pollination. In addition to butterflies and bees, songbirds are another example of pollinators.

Besides nectar, some flowers contain seeds and fruit. These also provide nutrition to the songbirds.

Another reason why songbirds are attracted to summer flowers is they provide nestbuilding materials. The birds use the twigs, soft petals and cotton-like seed to carefully twine together a comfy home for their young. Large, tall summer flowers also provide cover and shelter.

List of Summer Flowers

Shasta Daisy

Can easily be started from seed
USDA Hardiness zones 5 -9 (perennial)
Thrives in full sun
Deadhead spent blooms
Prefers well-drained, fertile, soil
Blooms from June through September
Cardinals and finches eat daisies

Cornflowers

Can be easily started from seed
USDA Hardiness zones 2-11 (perennial)
Love full sun
Prefer moist, well-drained soil
Bloom from mid-May through July
Deadhead spent blooms
American goldfinch eat cornflowers

Coneflower (Echinacea)

Hardy perennial
USDA Hardiness zones 4-9
Prefers full sun to partial shade
Requires moderately fertile, well-drained soil
Blooms mid-summer through fall
Is deer resistant
American goldfinch, chickadees, and Dark-eyed Juncos eat coneflower seeds

Aster

Perennial that does not like midday sun
USDA Hardiness zones 3-8
Blooms from summer through fall
Blooms in full sun to partial shade
Moist, well-draining, loamy soil is best
Blackbirds, cardinals, finches, chickadees and nuthatches eat asters.

New England Grape Crush Aster/another flower that songbirds like/Pixabay

Black-eyed Susan

USDA Hardiness zones 3-9 (perennial)
Full sun to partial shade
Everyday soil/can tolerate any kind of soil
Deadhead to promote more blooms
Blooms from July to first frost
American goldfinches, chickadees, cardinals, white-breasted nuthatches, and sparrows eat Black-eyed Susans

Sunflower

Loves full sun
Predominantly annuals but some varieties are perennials
Thrives in USDA hardiness zone 4-9
Heat tolerant and resistant to pests
A heliotropic flower (they turn their blossoms to the direction of the sun)
Prefers fertile, well-drained, moist soil
Blooms summer through fall
Warblers, cardinals, sparrows, titmice, buntings, siskins, and goldfinches eat sunflower seeds.

Zinnia

An annual plant that produces flowers and seeds, typically grown in zones 2-11
Thrives in full sun (6-8 hours)
Blooms from late spring to first frost in fall
Spacing is important for good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew from forming later in the season.
Can adapt to most soils but prefers fertile soil high in organic matter
The American goldfinch songbird eats zinnia seeds.

Cosmos

All cosmos are annuals with the exception of chocolate cosmos which are tender and need to be protected in the winter
Blooms best in full sun
Well-draining soil/not too fussy
Can direct-sow seeds outdoors once frost deadline has passed (click here under New/Deals)
Blooms mid-summer to first autumn frost
Songbirds like white-throated sparrows, blackbirds, and American goldfinches eat cosmos seeds.

Trumpet Vine

Trumpet vines bloom June to September
Blooms come in many colors and forms
Grows in zones 4-10
Needs well draining soil
Is fast growing and can become invasive/plant away from foundations and trees
Plant in a bottomless container to prevent spreading to other areas (it’s original 5 gallon plastic container will suffice)
Carefree plant but must be pruned to contain it
Baltimore orioles enjoy the nectar and seed from the trumpet-like flower, as do hummingbirds and goldfinches.

Large orange funnel flowers of trumpet vine full of nectar for songbirds/pixabay