American beautyberry for birds in Georgia
Fall fruit. Native to Georgia, where it feeds or shelters 28 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Callicarpa americana
- Native status
- Native in Georgia
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 7a–9a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Georgia birds supported
- 28
- Nesting birds among them
- 21
Growing conditions in Georgia
Humid subtropical, with cooler mountains in the north and a warm coastal plain in the south.
Hot, humid summers; bluebirds can raise three broods but boxes in full sun overheat.
Georgia birds that use American beautyberry
Year-round residents (11)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Blue Jay, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, European Starling
Summer breeders (10)
Orchard Oriole, Gray Catbird, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (7)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Palm Warbler
Mild winters bring irregular purple finch and pine-siskin irruptions from the north.
Nesting season it supports in Georgia
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use American beautyberry:
- Northern Cardinal — March–September
- Eastern Bluebird — March–August
- Blue Jay — March–July
- House Finch — March–August
- American Robin — March–July
- Northern Flicker — March–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — March–June
- Orchard Oriole — April–June
- Eastern Towhee — April–July
- Gray Catbird — April–July
Native plants to pair with American beautyberry in Georgia
Frequently asked
Is American beautyberry native to Georgia?
Yes. American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is recorded as native in Georgia. Georgia spans USDA 7a–9a.
What birds does American beautyberry attract in Georgia?
In Georgia, American beautyberry supports 28 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Blue Jay, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin.
Does American beautyberry help nesting birds in Georgia?
21 of those birds nest in Georgia: Northern Cardinal (March–September), Eastern Bluebird (March–August), Blue Jay (March–July), House Finch (March–August).
Which winter birds use American beautyberry in Georgia?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Palm Warbler use it in Georgia during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Georgia
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.