![]() ![]() Two small birds that breed in the boreal forests of Canada, the ruby-crowned kinglet and yellow-rumped warbler, relish wax myrtle berries here in winter and are closely affiliated with this shrub. The very small, hard berries are arranged in clusters along the stem and are covered in a thin gray waxy coating. Unlike the bright red berries of holly, wax myrtle berries are not real visible. Wax myrtle is another native shrub, having berries ripening in October and November. Late summer through winter its diet is heavy in berries from pokeweed, elderberry, arrowwood, bluestem palmetto, American beautyberry and hollies, among many others. Florida’s state bird, the northern mockingbird, eats primarily insects in spring and summer. Insects are important for some birds year-round, but other birds depend on berries to make it through the winter. Thus, we can all make a difference in our yards by increasing the percentage of native plants each year. In addition, his research indicates that when a landscape dips below 80% native plants, the reproduction rate of birds begins to drop. Native plants are the base of the ecological food web. ![]() Research by nationally celebrated entomologist Doug Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home, has shown that 96% of land birds feed their young insects that rely on native plants for sustenance. The greater the percentage of native plants in your yard, the more birds will be able to thrive there. Birds need insects, berries and seeds, as well as cover, that native plants offer.Ĭool autumn temperatures bring winter migrating birds to our area. We can welcome winter migrating birds to our yards by planting American (native) trees and shrubs to create habitat. Guest Article for the Tallahassee Democratĭecember 20, 2019, Release for the Tallahassee Democrat Wax Myrtle and Yellow-rumped Warblers Are Made for Each Other Yellow-rumped warbler eating wax myrtle berries. ![]()
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