Many types of plants will invite a variety of birds. For instance the oak tree not only provides shelter but its' acorns are an important food source to many birds, and the seeds of the sunflower are a favorite to just about any bird, but make sure you choose the black oil variety. Birds love berries such as rasberries and blackberries so having berry producing shrubs is a definite plus. Not to be overlooked are evergreens. They are especially important to those species which stick around during winter months in northern climates. Junipers are good evergreens to plant for both shelter and food (it produces berries).

Below are suggestions on how to attract a few of the more common birds found across North America with plants they go for. Don't forget to provide water. It doesn't have to be a fancy birdbath, a bucket filled to the rim with fresh water will do just fine.

BLUE JAY
The Bluejay belongs to the crow family, and like crows, is not a welcome guest in many backyards. It's noisy, and scares away other birds. But if you don't mind having this beautiful bird in your yard they wouldn't mind you sharing with them apples, plums, and cherries from your fruit trees. Acorns are an important part of their diet so if you have room for it how about an oak tree? And like many birds they love sunflower seeds. Other plants to consider are elderberries, dogwood and bigleaf magnolia.

CARDINAL
This melodious songbird of the finch family is a welcome additon to any garden. Evergreen trees are important to this bird for providing shelter in winter and a place to raise the young in summer. You'll be busy planting sunflowers and safflowers since they especially like to munch on black oil sunflower and safflower seeds. Other plants to consider are beautyberry, dogwood, and oak.

CHICKADEES
These small cuties stick around during the winter so evergreens are a must in the garden. Pines are a first choice since chickadees like the seeds of the pine cone. Another favorite seed is that of the sunflower Chickadees choose softwoods for nesting and can often be found in birch trees The birch tree also provides them with seeds. Other plants for attracting chickadees are white walnut, oak, sumac, and sweet gum

GOLDFINCH
If you like an emaculately kept lawn attracting this bird is gonna be tough. Goldfinches feed mainly on the seeds of weeds. Yup you read right, weeds. But don't despair there's still other types of seeds they like such as nyger (thistle) and black oil sunflower Other plants to have are sweet gum, mulberry, zinnia, birch, and elm.