Do Birds Like Marigolds?
“Is it OK to plant marigolds near bird feeders?” asks Birds & Blooms reader Barbara J. Bricker of Wooster, Ohio.
Horticultural expert Melinda Myers says, “Marigolds (Tagetes spp., annual) are a favorite of gardeners, birds and insects. Various birds eat the marigold 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.”…