Many birds, such as mockingbirds, catbirds and robins eat fruit and berries all summer long, while most other birds have a diet of insects and seeds. But strangely, lots of seed and insect eaters as well, start to crave a diet of fruit in preparation for migration. It seems that while the birds are storing lots of fat reserves for their long trip, a diet of fruit, with it’s concentrated amount of antioxidants, might also be needed to reduce the stress and inflammation that birds experience during their migration. Birds such as sparrows, thrushes and warblers that strictly eat seeds during the summer are some of the birds that suddenly switch to a fruit diet in the fall. A single bird can consume up to three times its weight in fruit in a single day! These birds are not accustomed to clinging to fruit and berry bushes, and their beaks are not designed to eat fruit, so they can appear rather comical while they’re gathering these foods!

Offering nourishing fruits and berries, especially during late summer and fall months is one way you can help our migrating birds. Fruits and berries to offer can be strawberries, blueberries, cherries, apples, banana pieces, watermelon and pears to name just a few. And planting fruit and berries bushes for the birds is extremely helpful also. Crabapple trees, apple trees, blueberry bushes, choke cherries, winterberry, etc. all can help birds prior to their migration, as well as provide important nourishment during their stop-overs on their way south. Just remember to be sure to plant native species! This way you can make sure you are not introducing a non-native, invasive plant to your area. Also, many non-native fruits and berries do not provide the correct degree of sugars, antioxidants, etc. that our native birds have adapted to.

In the video below, the type of tree is not identified, but it may be a black cherry tree. It’s very obvious that the cardinals and other birds on the tree are ravenous for its berries!

Better Healthy Living: Birds fuel up on superfoods before long …

The birds‘ absolute favorite berry was arrowwood, which researchers found to be highest in antioxidants and pigments of all the berries tested. The fruit contained 650 percent more pigment than the average of the other 11 berries put …

Publish Date: 08/06/2010 6:05

http://better-healthyliving.blogspot.com/2010/08/birds-fuel-up-on-superfoods-before-long.html

Feeding Your Backyard Bird Visitors | What Do Birds Eat

And don’t forget fruit, which birds love. If you have a fruit tree or bush in your yard, you have a natural food source that will attract birds from all around. But, even if you do not have a fruit tree, you can cut up an apple or peach …

Publish Date: 07/29/2010 21:22

http://whatdobirdseat.whatyouveheard.com/feeding-your-backyard-bird-visitors/

Native Fruit-bearing Plants that Attract SE Birds

Virginia bluebells Mertensia virginica Coral honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens Trumpet vine Camsis radicans Cinnamon fern Osmunda cinamomea. Resource: The Ecology of Fruit-eating Birds in Georgia. 2009 Ferrari, James and Jerry A. Payne …

Publish Date: 08/04/2010 9:16

http://birdingadventuresinc.com/2010/08/native-fruit-bearing-plants-that-attract-se-birds/

How can I attract more birds to my backyard?

Put up regular seed, sunflower only feeders, thistle only feeders, suet, fruit, necter, and anything else that birds in your area eat. If you have a specialty bird feeding store in your area, stop by there and ask what they recomend. …

Publish Date: 08/04/2010 10:24

http://www.uboughtwhat.com/how-can-i-attract-more-birds-to-my-backyard/

The Berry Tree

Video of birds eating berries off of an unidentified tree in my backyard. You will see multiple species including a pileated woodpecker.