Interview with Beny Wilson!

Lisa Boice made me an interview that exposed some interesting parts of my history as a birdwatcher.
Enjoy the reading by clicking here

Trees, shrubs and plants that attract birds. PART I: wild plants that will grow easy

Common Trees to Attract Birds

Before I poor information I have to explain where did this idea came from. Long time ago, talking with Jacobo Ortega he came the idea of making a book of the trees and other plants that attract birds. Yesterday my friend, Christian Gernez reminded me about this idea.


So I took 3 hours yesterday to do some research and come out with dozens of plants. Since the purpose of the list is to make people change what they currently have in their yards and farms, I came to the conclusion that a book was just good for me and not for the landlords!


So what I will do is to publish in many different post information regarding species of trees, shrubs, bushes, plants and palms that will turn your garden or farm into a paradise for birds!


Please feel free to comment, suggest and correct this work which I hope you enjoy and use to plan a garden for birds. 

PART I: wild plants that will grow easy on your garden in the city or the farm.

The following 5 species of trees, shrubs, herbs and plants are wild species which are common to find in any secondary patch of forest around the city, along creeks or roads. They should be no problem at gettings siblings in the city "wilderness"

 

Common name	Papaya (Carica papaya)
Birds attracted	Blue-gray Tanager, Palm Tanager, Crimson-backed Tanager, Golden-hooded Tanager, Scarlet Tanager, Summer Tanager, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Yellow-crowned Euphonia, Thick-billed Euphonia, Buff-throated Saltator, Gray-headed Chachalaca, Clay-colored Thrush, Orange-chinned Parakeet, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Araçari, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Blue-crowned Motmot, Pale-vented Pigeon, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Yellow-backed Oriole, Northern Oriole, Chestnut-headed Oropendola.
Description	Papaya is one of the most widespread shrubs of America. They love plenty of sun, well drained soils and, if possible, sandy soils. They fruit vary in size from the tiny tennis ball size to the gigantic watermelon size. In my experience the smaller sizes are the best for birds since there will always be one ripening. Make sure your papaya have some other trees or bushes that serve as perches for the birds. Keep in mind that papaya could grow up to 10 meters so nothing should be in the way of the main trunk.
More info and pictures	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carica_papaya
Common name	Capuri, Capulin (Muntingia calabura)
Birds attracted	Blue-gray Tanager, Palm Tanager, Crimson-backed Tanager, Golden-hooded Tanager, Scarlet Tanager, Summer Tanager, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Yellow-crowned Euphonia, Thick-billed Euphonia, Orange-chinned Parakeet, Pale-vented Pigeon, Northern Oriole, Orchard Oriole
Description	This rather overlooked tree is a master of attacting birds and butterflies. The up to 7 meter tall capuri survive really well in poor, rocky, well drained soils like the one left in a demolition site or construction. Very common along newly opened road, capuri is easy to plant by unearthing a sibling from below an adult tree. The red berrry are produced year round and consumed by lots of birds, squirrels and titi monkeys if they can reach the tree.
More info and pictures	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muntingia http://edicionesdigitales.info/arbolesrum/arbolesrum/capulin.html
Common name	Guarumo, (Cecropia sp)
Birds attracted	Blue-gray Tanager, Palm Tanager, Crimson-backed Tanager, Golden-hooded Tanager, Scarlet Tanager, Summer Tanager, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Green Honeycreeper, Blue Dacnis, Yellow-crowned Euphonia, Thick-billed Euphonia, Buff-throated Saltator, Gray-headed Chachalaca, Clay-colored Thrush, Orange-chinned Parakeet, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Araçari, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Blue-crowned Motmot, Pale-vented Pigeon, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Yellow-backed Oriole, Northern Oriole, Chestnut-headed Oropendola.
Description	Several species are known as “guarumo” and they all have fruits that are highly valued by birds, mammals and iguanas. This pioneer tree does well in almost any environment however they need good amounts of water for their survival. Their slender and tall trunk can grow up to 20 meters tall so make sure to have enough space for this champion pioneer to grow freely. The best way to plant them is by unearthing a seedling. Make sure to give the right shade and amount of water for it to survive the transplant since they are very sensitive disturbances.
More info and pictures	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecropia http://ctfs.arnarb.harvard.edu/webatlas/findinfo.php?specid=1280&leng=spanish
Common name	Firecracker bush, Canelito (Hamelia patens)
Birds attracted	Blue-gray Tanager, Palm Tanager, Crimson-backed Tanager, Golden-hooded Tanager, Scarlet Tanager, Summer Tanager, Bananaquit, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Green Honeycreeper, Blue Dacnis, Yellow-crowned Euphonia, Thick-billed Euphonia, several species of Hummingbirds and several species of manakins depending their proximity to forest and altitude.
Description	This common bush grows from Florida to Argentina so it’s easy to grow almost everywhere. It tolerate some shade and poor soils so it's good for hedges, empty spaces in the garden and bellow bigger trees. The big plus of this bush is that it attracts lots of butterflies and hummingbirds. It is great for a wild looking garden and if grows from cuttings of old branches or sprouting branches.
More info and pictures	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamelia_patens http://biogeodb.stri.si.edu/herbarium/species/24954/?fam=Rubiaceae&page=11
Common name	Gumbo-Limbo, Almácigo, Indio encuero (Bursera simaruba)
Birds attracted	Blue-gray Tanager, Palm Tanager, Crimson-backed Tanager, Golden-hooded Tanager, Scarlet Tanager, Summer Tanager, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Yellow-crowned Euphonia, Thick-billed Euphonia, Buff-throated Saltator, Gray-headed Chachalaca, Clay-colored Thrush, Orange-chinned Parakeet, Eastern Kingbird, Tropical Kingbird, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Streaked Flycatcher, Social Flycatcher, Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee, Masked Tityra, Black-crowned Tityra, Great-crested Flycatcher.
Description	This rather large bush or small tree is very common in our farmland but not so much in our urban areas. Its name in spanish refer to the fact that the reddish bark is always peeling off resemble the skin of sunburned people. This tree produce fruits exactly during the main migratory dates: october, november, march and april. Migratory species and lots of flycatchers engage in massive attacks to the fruiting gumbo-limbo trees making a great show to watch.
More info and pictures	http://ctfs.arnarb.harvard.edu/webatlas/findinfo.php?specid=908&leng=english http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bursera_simaruba