Have you ever looked out at your yard and thought, “This could use a little more… life?” Maybe it’s missing something? Yep, birds! Those chirping, flapping little guys that make a garden feel more like nature.
And now is the ideal moment to swap that plain old grass for something that’ll have birds flocking to your yard like it’s their favorite spot!
I’ve spent plenty of time Googling “how to attract birds” (right next to “why won’t my plants grow?”), and I found out that some types of grass are perfect for drawing them in.
If you’re tired of waiting for birds to come to you, then go ahead and plant these grasses that’ll make your yard impossible to resist.
1. Little Bluestem Is A Pretty Prairie Plant Birds Absolutely Love
Little Bluestem is a native prairie grass with striking blue-green foliage that turns red in fall. Its seed heads are a bird’s delight, offering a nutritious snack for finches, sparrows, and other seed-loving birds.
Birds are drawn to it because of the seeds and the cover it provides for nesting.
2. Switchgrass Is A Tall, Airy Grass That Birds Can’t Resist
If you are looking to add vertical interest and at the same time attract birds to your yard, switchgrass is the perfect choice for you. This grass produces airy seed heads that our little feathered friends adore.
It grows in clumps, creating great hiding spots for small birds like sparrows. In the fall, its seeds ripen and provide a high-energy food source for wintering birds like juncos and goldfinches.
3. Big Bluestem Offers A Perfect Feast For Your Feathered Friends
Big Bluestem (often called “the king of the prairie”) grows up to 6 feet tall and provides excellent cover and food for birds.
Its seeds are a favorite of meadowlarks and songbirds, while the dense foliage offers shelter for nesting birds.
4. Prairie Dropseed Is A Bird’s Favorite Snack With Its Tiny Seeds
This ornamental grass has fine, delicate blades and a sweet-smelling aroma when in bloom.
Birds flock to Prairie Dropseed for its small, nutrient-packed seeds and the clumps of grass that they use to make their well-crafted nests.
5. Buffalo Grass Provides A Cozy Spot For Birds To Nest
Buffalo Grass is a low-growing grass native to the Great Plains. This plant is great for attracting ground-feeding birds like sparrows and quail.
Its seeds are easily accessible to birds and it provides good cover for birds looking for shelter from predators.
6. Northern Sea Oats Are Birds’ Go-To For Shade, Seeds, And Shelter
This shade-loving grass has arching seed heads that are irresistible to birds.
The seeds alone are a great food source for finches and chickadees, while the plant itself offers a sheltered, cool spot for birds to rest and nest during warmer months.
7. Fountain Grass Is A Feathery Beauty Birds Won’t Stay Away From
Fountain Grass, with its beautiful feathery flower heads, attracts seed-eating birds like sparrows and quail.
The soft tufts also provide protection for smaller birds, making it an ideal choice for creating a bird-friendly environment.
8. Reed Canary Grass Is A Moisture-Loving Favorite For Birds
Reed Canary Grass is a tall, dense grass that grows in moist areas, providing both shelter and seeds for birds.
Its seeds are particularly attractive to waterfowl and other wetland birds, while the thick clumps create great hiding spots for nesting.
9. Indian Grass Brings Golden Seeds That Birds Can’t Get Enough Of
Indian Grass is a native prairie grass with beautiful golden flower heads that birds absolutely love.
Its seeds are highly nutritious for finches, while its structure provides ample nesting opportunities for a variety of bird species.
10. Blue Grama Is A Small Grass With A Big Bird Appeal
Blue Grama is a short, drought-tolerant grass native to the Great Plains.
Its distinctive seed heads resemble eyelashes and attract a wide range of birds, including sparrows and chickadees (they adore these tiny seeds). It’s perfect for creating a bird-friendly yard in sunny areas.
11. Zoysia Grass Is A Low-Maintenance Bird Magnet
Zoysia Grass is a hardy, low-maintenance grass that grows well in warm climates.
It’s particularly appealing to birds like doves and quails that enjoy foraging for insects and seeds on the grass’s thick, dense mat. Plus, it’s a great grass for providing ground cover while still attracting plenty of feathered visitors.
So, all you need to do now is grab your gardening gloves and plant some of these grasses – your backyard birdwatching adventures are about to get a lot more exciting!
And if you want to make things interesting, here are 5 beautiful perennials that will keep birds flying to your garden all winter!