American elderberry for birds in Florida
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species. Native to Florida, where it feeds or shelters 99 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Sambucus canadensis
- Native status
- Native in Florida
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 8a–11b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
- Florida birds supported
- 99
- Nesting birds among them
- 71
Growing conditions in Florida
Humid subtropical in the north to tropical in the Keys; a wet summer and a dry winter season.
Heat, humidity and summer storms: boxes need drainage holes, ventilation and shade, and nectar spoils fast.
Florida birds that use American elderberry
Year-round residents (57)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Phoebe, Pine Warbler, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, White-winged Dove, American Crow, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Gray Catbird, Florida Scrub-Jay, Hooded Merganser, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-throated Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, Killdeer, American Woodcock, Green Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owl, Burrowing Owl, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Boat-tailed Grackle, Monk Parakeet
Summer breeders (14)
Purple Martin, Orchard Oriole, Indigo Bunting, Barn Swallow, Chimney Swift, Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Prothonotary Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (28)
House Wren, Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Cedar Waxwing, Tree Swallow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, American Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler, Ovenbird, Orange-crowned Warbler, Palm Warbler, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Spotted Sandpiper, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird
Winter is the busy feeder season as northern migrants — goldfinches, wrens and others — arrive from October.
Nesting season it supports in Florida
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use American elderberry:
- Northern Cardinal — March–September
- Eastern Bluebird — March–July
- Carolina Chickadee — March–June
- Purple Martin — March–July
- Downy Woodpecker — March–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — March–June
- Tufted Titmouse — March–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — March–May
- House Finch — March–August
- Carolina Wren — March–August
Native plants to pair with American elderberry in Florida
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Frequently asked
Is American elderberry native to Florida?
Yes. American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is recorded as native in Florida. Florida spans USDA 8a–11b.
What birds does American elderberry attract in Florida?
In Florida, American elderberry supports 99 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does American elderberry help nesting birds in Florida?
71 of those birds nest in Florida: Northern Cardinal (March–September), Eastern Bluebird (March–July), Carolina Chickadee (March–June), Purple Martin (March–July).
Which winter birds use American elderberry in Florida?
Winter visitors House Wren, Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Cedar Waxwing, Tree Swallow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, American Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler, Ovenbird, Orange-crowned Warbler, Palm Warbler, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Spotted Sandpiper, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird use it in Florida during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Florida
- 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.