NOW, more than ever, native birdlife needs some extra help when it comes to natural sources of food.
Simply putting seed out, may be part of the answer post-bushfires, but there are better options for the longer-term.
Planting grasses, bushes and trees to provide an on-going food source for a variety of birds, as well as encouraging them to fend for themselves, is high on the list.
There are dividends for gardeners too.
First, the absolute delight of watching parrots, honeyeaters and other birds in the garden, and the job they do in keeping insects under control.
We asked three local experts for their top bird-attracting plants – John Stanhope of Black Spur Nursery in Healesville, Bob O’Neill at Katandara Gardens in Wandin and Chris Fletcher from Yarra Glen who specialises in growing native and indigenous plants.
Here’s a selection of their favourites.
Chris Fletcher
Banksia spinulosa
Corea reflexa
Callistamon sieberi (tough as nails)
Melaleucas squarrosa
Hakea nodosa.
Chris says seed-eating birds, such as finches and galahs, are also attracted to certain grasses.
Bob O’Neill
Banksias – serrata, ericifolia and giant candles.
Grevilleas lanigera
Eremophilia maculate and glabra
Correa reflexas and pulchella
Calothamnus quadrifidus.
Abutilons – Chinese lanterns.
Bob recommends also plants which attract insects – to bring in the insect-eating birds.
Calytrix tetrogona, melaleucas fulgens, pimelea rosea, isopogon and xanthorrhoea are all recommended.
John Stanhope
Grevilleas – Robyn Gordon (pictured), gold fever, longistyla and superb.
Correa dusky bells (all birds)
Callistemon kings park special (parrots)
Banksia birthday candles (honeyeaters)
Anigozanthos – kangaroo paw.
John said lilly pillies for berries and eucalyptus ficifolia for nectar and seeds also rated.
