Native Plants in Central Arizona

When it comes to landscaping around your home, you can keep birds and wildlife in mind. Selecting native plants not only saves our precious water resources but also attracts and supports birds.  

Check out these 10 plants that provide food, shelter, and nesting sites for birds in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona: 

1. Ironwood (Olneya tesota) 

The Ironwood is an excellent bird sanctuary. It produces pods with seeds that provide a protein-rich food source for birds. Insects abound within it, attracting birds. The Ironwood’s dense canopy is used by nearly 150 bird species, and the shade underneath it can shelter cacti for nesting and wildflowers for foraging. Growing an Ironwood to maturity in your yard greatly increases the number of birds your yard can support. 

Birds that love this plant: Cactus Wren, Mourning Dove, Gambel's Quail 

2. Velvet Mesquite (Prosopis velutina), Honey Mesquite (P. glandulosa) 

The Velvet and Honey Mesquites are also excellent trees for birds. They provide breeding, nesting, and roosting sites. Mesquite foliage and bark are home to insects, and their flowers attract a wide variety of birds. In addition, their seeds and sweet fleshy pods are eaten by doves, quail, and other birds. 

Birds that love this plant: Verdin, Abert's Towhee, Gambel’s Quail

3. Prickly Pear (Opuntia species) 

Prickly pear cacti offer escape and cover for birds. Some prickly pears produce a juicy fruit in the summer that are prized by many birds, and the flowers attract butterflies and other pollinating insects. Prickly pears are some of the least demanding plants as they can go long periods without water and tolerate very hot locations. 

Birds that love this plant: Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Verdin

4. Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata) 

Desert Marigold produces bright yellow flowers nearly all year long. The seeds are eaten by doves, sparrows, and finches. Flower stalks grow up to 18 inches tall and sit above gray-green foliage. It is a short-lived perennial but reseeds itself well and is very drought tolerant. 

Birds: House Finch, Mourning Dove, Gambel's Quail 

5. Blue Palo Verde (Cercidium floridium) 

Arizona’s state tree features bright green or blue-green bark and seasonal tiny leaves. Blue Palo Verde reaches up to 20 feet tall and 25 feet wide with numerous thorny twigs that provide light to moderate shade. In late March or April, this tree shows a spectacular display of yellow flowers.  

Birds that love this plant: Verdin, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Anna's Hummingbird 

6. Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) 

Desert Willow’s narrow green leaves provide light shade until it sheds them in the winter. April through September, this tree boasts lavender to pink orchid-like flowers that hummingbirds and verdins sip nectar from while several birds and rodents eat the seeds. Growing up to 25 feet tall, the Desert Willow has no thorns.  

Birds that love this plant: Curve-billed Thrasher, Verdin, Anna's Hummingbird 

7. Desert Hackberry (Celtis pallida) 

Considered a tall, evergreen shrub, the desert hackberry has thick, leathery leaves and produces juicy orange berries in summer and fall. Hackberry branches grow densely and have thorns. Migratory birds enjoy the food and protection this plant provides.  

Birds that love this plant: Northern Cardinal, Abert's Towhee, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher 

8. Chuparosa (Justicia californica) 

Chuparosa tolerates poor soil and partial to full sun. This hearty plant grows up to six feet tall and produces masses of red, tubular flowers prized by hummingbirds. In shade, Chuparosa can become tall and leggy. This perennial plant can lose its leaves in times of drought, but its stems will remain green. Chuparosa blooms from fall into winter, and again in spring through early summer.  

Birds that love this plant: Anna's Hummingbird, Verdin, Gambel's Quail 

9. Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla) 

Fairy Duster is a low-growing, perennial shrub with unusual, feathery flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. It provides nutritious seed pods as well as nectar.  

Birds that love this plant: Anna's Hummingbird, Mourning Dove, Gambel's Quail 

10. Sunflower (Helianthus species) 

Well-loved and easy to grow, sunflowers delight kids, adults, and birds alike. This wildflower is easy to grow from seed and can self-seed readily.  

Birds that love this plant: Lesser Goldfinch, House Finch, Northern Cardinal 

Looking for more ideas about what to plant? Dig deeper into Audubon's Native Plant Database to get inspired and find tips on native plant gardening and facts about the positive impact you could make.