American elderberry for birds in Indiana
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species. Native to Indiana, where it feeds or shelters 100 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Sambucus canadensis
- Native status
- Native in Indiana
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–7a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
- Indiana birds supported
- 100
- Nesting birds among them
- 86
Growing conditions in Indiana
Humid continental, from Lake Michigan dunes in the north to the forested hill country of the south.
Warm, humid summers with frequent storms.
Indiana birds that use American elderberry
Year-round residents (36)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Song Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, American Crow, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Hooded Merganser, Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owl
Summer breeders (50)
Eastern Bluebird, Purple Martin, House Wren, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, Chimney Swift, Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Gray Catbird, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Ovenbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Least Flycatcher, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Green Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Swamp Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (14)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Pine Grosbeak, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Bohemian Waxwing
Cold winters with lake-effect snow in the far north.
Nesting season it supports in Indiana
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 — April–August
- Eastern Bluebird — April–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- Carolina Chickadee — April–June
- Purple Martin — May–July
- Downy Woodpecker — April–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — April–June
- Tufted Titmouse — April–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — April–June
- House Wren — May–August
Native plants to pair with American elderberry in Indiana
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 Indiana?
Yes. American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is recorded as native in Indiana. Indiana spans USDA 5b–7a.
What birds does American elderberry attract in Indiana?
In Indiana, American elderberry supports 100 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker.
Does American elderberry help nesting birds in Indiana?
86 of those birds nest in Indiana: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Carolina Chickadee (April–June).
Which winter birds use American elderberry in Indiana?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Pine Grosbeak, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Indiana during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Indiana
- 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.