Ask the Experts

The pros share advice on birding and gardening questions

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Is it OK to plant marigolds near bird feeders?

Barbara J. Bricker woOSTER, OH

Melinda: Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are a favorite of gardeners, birds and insects. Various birds eat the seeds, and the seeds and flower petals are often fed to chickens to increase their egg yolk color and boost their health. Marigolds also work as a trap plant, which means they protect preferred plants or crops by attracting pests. These flowers also attract beneficial insects that, along with the pests, serve as a great source of protein in many birds’ diets.

Kenn and Kimberly: There’s no reason to avoid planting marigolds near feeders. The pungent smell of these flowers is thought to repel deer, at least part of the time, but the smell won’t keep birds away. And after the marigolds have finished blooming, if you leave the dried seed heads on the plants, finches and other birds may come to eat the abundant small seeds.

Ruby-throated hummingbird nest

How does a bird find a place to build a nest? Linda Johnson DEL RIO, TX

Kenn and Kimberly: Every type of bird has its own preferences for where to place its nest. They rely mainly on instinct, but their own past experience can also play a part: A bird might seek out a spot similar to where it hatched. Nest sites for different species might include being among tall grass on the ground, on a high tree branch, in dense low bushes, in cavities in dead trees, or numerous other kinds of spots. In addition to the exact location of the nest, the surrounding habitat is also very important and undoubtedly plays a role in the bird's final choice.