American beautyberry for birds in Texas
Clusters of purple fruit from late summer into fall. Native to Texas, where it feeds or shelters 39 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Callicarpa americana
- Native status
- Native in Texas
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6b–10a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Texas birds supported
- 39
- Nesting birds among them
- 29
Growing conditions in Texas
Humid subtropical in the east and along the Gulf, semi-arid to arid in the west; long, hot summers and short, mild winters over most of the state.
Afternoon highs regularly exceed 95°F — nest boxes need shade or light-colored, ventilated construction, and water matters as much as food.
Texas birds that use American beautyberry
Year-round residents (21)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Blue Jay, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, European Starling, Juniper Titmouse, Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, White-winged Dove, Phainopepla, Band-tailed Pigeon, White-eyed Vireo, Great Kiskadee, Cactus Wren, Monk Parakeet
Summer breeders (8)
Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Bullock's Oriole, Yellow-breasted Chat, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (10)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Palm Warbler
Hard freezes are brief outside the Panhandle, so most feeder birds face heat and drought stress more than cold.
Nesting season it supports in Texas
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–July
- Blue Jay — March–July
- House Finch — March–August
- American Robin — March–July
- Northern Flicker — March–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — March–June
- Baltimore Oriole — April–July
- Orchard Oriole — April–June
- Eastern Towhee — April–July
Native plants to pair with American beautyberry in Texas
Native tubular red flowers; not the invasive Japanese honeysuckle.
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Frequently asked
Is American beautyberry native to Texas?
Yes. American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is recorded as native in Texas. Texas spans USDA 6b–10a.
What birds does American beautyberry attract in Texas?
In Texas, American beautyberry supports 39 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Blue Jay, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin.
Does American beautyberry help nesting birds in Texas?
29 of those birds nest in Texas: Northern Cardinal (March–September), Eastern Bluebird (March–July), Blue Jay (March–July), House Finch (March–August).
Which winter birds use American beautyberry in Texas?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Palm Warbler use it in Texas during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Texas
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
- Texas Breeding Bird Atlas — Texas A&M
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.