Honeysuckles are ornamental in flowers, foliage, and fruit. The blossoms attract the insects that lure the hummingbirds, warblers, and vireos.
The leaves serve as cover and protection for wide varieties of birds. And the fruits are relished by the following:
- Catbirds
- Mockingbirds
- Thrushes
- Thrashers
- Waxwings
- Grosbeaks
- Finches
- Native sparrows
- Vireos
- Grouse
- Pheasants
- Quail and many others
Constant Catbirds
The catbird is a constant species. However, not a single subspecies has been recognized throughout its extensive range from southern Canada to Panama.
The name, although a misnomer, is destined to remain. It probably originated from some casual listener who gave ear only to the short, grating, cat-like call and did not hear its pleasing and varied song.
Though modestly colored, the catbird is exquisitely tailored and always presents a trim appearance. It is a busybody and consumed with curiosity.
The Mockingbird And The Thrasher
Let anyone but imitate the scream of a frightened or injured bird, and all the catbirds in the neighborhood will appear in full cry.
Like its two relatives, the mockingbird and the thrasher, the catbird is a fine singer and imitator.
It is somewhat startling, at times, to hear the catbird’s sweetest song interrupted by a perfect imitation of some harsh cry such as that of the following:
- The crested flycatcher
- The squawk of a hen
- The clamor of a lost chicken
- The spitting of a cat
Like Songbirds
As with most songbirds, the catbird is individualistic.
While one bird may be unusually versatile and of prima donna rank, others may be quite ordinary in their ability to imitate or very mediocre in quality of voice.
Some can ventriloquize, and probably all can reduce the volume of their song until it seems far away.
One fine October day a few years ago, I was engaged in my usual energy-requiring pastime of “bird-watching,” I sat on the porch waiting for the birds to come to me.
I listened to the song of a catbird that seemed to come from the distant swamp.
Casually, I peered over the edge of the railing, and there, in the firethorn, sat the little scamp singing his faraway “whisper song” about three feet from my face!
Catbirds’ Diet
During July, catbirds devour great quantities of insects and feed them to their young.
But, as a large portion of their diet consists of vegetable food, they welcome the opportunity to feast on honeysuckle berries.
Honeysuckle
Since about 180 species of honeysuckle are distributed throughout the northern hemisphere, some forms are useful in almost every section of this continent.
They are mostly vigorous shrubs or vines and can be depended upon to produce a wealth of blossoms annually.
The rather small flowers are usually white, pink, red, and orange or purple in a few species.
The bloom season is extended, and fruiting occurs from May to Thanksgiving.
The Tartarian honeysuckle, Lonicera tartarica, is one of our most popular ornamental shrubs and may be considered one of the best.
It is of vigorous growth and tidy appearance at all times, is very hardy and able to thrive in almost any soil or growing conditions, is immune to disease and insect pests, and will withstand heavy pruning.
Varieties Of Tartarian Honeysuckle
The varieties of Tartarian honeysuckle are numerous. Among the better ones usually carried by the trade are:
- Lonicera tatarica alba and Lonicera tatarica parvifolia with white flowers
- Lonicera tatarica rosea and Lonicera tatarica sihirica with pink flowers
- Lonicera tatarica pulc.herrima and Lonicera tatarica zahelli with red flowers
- Lonicera tatarica lutea with yellow fruit
Because of its profusion of flowers, the aesthetic quality of the foliage, the splendid appearance, and the bird-food value of the berries.
The gray landscape effect of the winter branches. The Tartarian honeysuckle is a “must” for every one of our gardens.
44659 by Alfred E. Runk