We all know herbs for humans - but did you know that there are also herbs for birds? You can find out here which species are included and how you can help birds with them.
Most people know that herbs are he althy and can even have a healing effect. Herbs for dogs and herbs for cats are also known to many. But did you know that birds can benefit from herbs? In fact, the numerous minerals, vitamins and essential oils are not only good for humans, but can also have a positive effect on the he alth of birds. The dried parts of the plant can be mixed into fat feed if you make bird seed yourself. However, many herbs (especially their seeds) are also well accepted by birds when they are fresh. If you also rely on various insect-friendly herbs, the birds will not only be happy about he althy herbs. Thanks to the diversity of insects, food for birds is plentiful.
Birdseed plants: Which herbs are suitable?
Herbs for birds have so far been a rather unknown topic. No wonder, then, that many do not know which herbs are particularly bird-friendly. We have put together 13 plants that birds in the garden are particularly happy about.
1. Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
Field horsetail has a particularly high content of silicic acid, potassium and flavonoids. The herb not only has a positive effect on the formation of horns in birds, but also stimulates the metabolism and supports plumage and bones. The plant is a useful addition to the diet of many birds, especially during the moult and for young birds.
2. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Basil is easy to cultivate in the garden or on the balcony. At the same time, the plant is also one of the most suitable herbs for birds. For example, the goldfinch likes to eat basil seeds. But the leaves can also be fed fresh or dried and then have an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect.
3. Nettle (Urtica)
Stinging nettles are very popular with many bird species: Birds like to eat both the seeds and the young leaves. The birdseed plant scores with a high protein and vitamin C content and also supports the kidneys and urinary tract.
4. ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria)
Giersch scores with birds because of its high content of vitamins A and C, as well as many minerals. The plant also has a metabolism-stimulating effect on birds. But be careful: ground elder is quickly confused with the poisonous hogweed (Heracleum) or hemlock (Conium maculatum) - however, these are not suitable as bird food plants.
5. Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)
The shepherd's purse is a common wild plant and is probably one of the most popular herbs for birds: the seeds of the plant are particularly popular with birds, but chicken birds such as pheasants also eat the shepherd's purse whole. But insects are also attracted to the shepherd's purse, so it should definitely not be missing in a bird-friendly garden.
6. St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
St. John's wort is very popular with birds. There are two reasons for this: on the one hand, the plant is considered to be extremely insect-friendly, on the other hand, its small seeds are readily eaten. The dried leaves of the plants can also be fed and have an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect.
7. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
The young, fresh shoots of the dandelion are very popular with many birds. But birds also like to eat the seeds of the plant and even the dandelion root can be fed. Due to its high content of various vitamins and minerals, the plant is considered extremely he althy for birds - the high vitamin K content is particularly noteworthy, which has a positive effect on blood and bone formation.
8. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)
Many birds like to eat the seeds of the milk thistle. No wonder, considering that its ingredient silymarin can protect the liver from toxins and supports liver regeneration.
9. Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
The marigold has a healing effect not only on humans - it is also very well accepted by birds.In fact, all parts of the herb are edible for birds, but grain eaters prefer the seeds. Soft eaters, on the other hand, are particularly fond of the flower parts. In birds, marigold has an anti-inflammatory effect and can provide relief from stomach ailments.
10. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Rosemary is not only popular with humans, but is also one of the herbs that are suitable for birds. Thanks to its essential oils, it has an expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect. Birds especially like the shoot tips and flowers.
11. Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Sage not only attracts insects, but is also one of the bird-friendly herbs: in small quantities, the young leaves of the plant have an anti-inflammatory effect and can promote digestion.
12. Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
Plantain is one of the particularly popular herbs for birds: both its seeds and its leaves are gratefully accepted by many bird species. It not only has an antibacterial effect, but also convinces with a high content of important minerals and nutrients.
13. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Thyme is a popular herb for birds thanks to its antiseptic properties and can have healing properties, particularly on the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. The unwoody tips of the shoots are fed. Thyme can also be grown on the balcony without any problems and then offered fresh or dried.
Tip: A great way to offer birds a variety of different plants and herbs in the garden is to use already mixed seeds. The Plantura beneficial insect magnet, for example, is not only suitable for bees and butterflies, but also contains many herbs that birds like to eat.
Make your own bird seed from herbs
Herbs can be offered to birds in two different ways: On the one hand, you can settle the plants in the garden so that the feathered animals can use the herbs at their own discretion. Especially in winter, however, it is a good idea to make additional birdseed from herbs yourself. In both versions, however, the origin of the herbs is essential: herbs from your own cultivation are best, as you can be sure that they have not been treated with chemical agents - for example, cultivation in the Plantura is worthwhileOrganic herb and seed soil, as this not only offers ideal conditions for growing herbs, but is also absolutely harmless to animals.
So that the herbs for birds can be offered all year round, it is advisable to dry the herbs and store them in a suitable place. So they can later be gradually mixed into the feed. Birds take the herbs particularly well in home-made fatty food. For this purpose, about one teaspoon of the herb is given per fat feed mixture (300 g fat and 300 g grain feed). You can also increase this dose or mix different herbs with the fat feed - but then the acceptance of the feed often decreases. It is best to try out carefully which amounts and combinations of herbs are best accepted by the birds. Alternatively, you can also mix the dried herbs for birds with the litter. For example, you can use our Plantura scattered feed for wild birds, which already contains many important nutrients and becomes even richer and more diverse with the addition of self-dried herbs.
However, strict hygiene must be observed here, especially in winter: If the dried herbs come into contact with moisture, they can begin to mould. In this case, they must be removed from the bird feeder in order not to endanger the he alth of the animals.
Would you like to continue helping the birds in your garden? You can find out the best way to make birdseed yourself in our article "Make bird seed yourself: instructions & tips".