American elderberry for birds in Mississippi
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species. Native to Mississippi, where it feeds or shelters 102 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Sambucus canadensis
- Native status
- Native in Mississippi
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 7b–9a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
- Mississippi birds supported
- 102
- Nesting birds among them
- 79
Growing conditions in Mississippi
Humid subtropical, with the Delta in the northwest, piney woods in the south and a short Gulf coastline.
Long, hot, humid summers.
Mississippi birds that use American elderberry
Year-round residents (46)
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, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Phoebe, Pine Warbler, 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, Killdeer, American Woodcock, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owl, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Boat-tailed Grackle
Summer breeders (33)
Purple Martin, Orchard Oriole, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Barn Swallow, 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, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Spotted Sandpiper, Green Heron, Osprey, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (23)
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, Orange-crowned Warbler, Palm Warbler, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird
Mild winters with rare hard freezes.
Nesting season it supports in Mississippi
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–August
- Eastern Bluebird — March–August
- Carolina Chickadee — March–June
- Purple Martin — April–July
- Downy Woodpecker — March–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — March–June
- Tufted Titmouse — March–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — March–June
- House Finch — March–August
- Carolina Wren — March–August
Native plants to pair with American elderberry in Mississippi
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 Mississippi?
Yes. American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is recorded as native in Mississippi. Mississippi spans USDA 7b–9a.
What birds does American elderberry attract in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, American elderberry supports 102 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does American elderberry help nesting birds in Mississippi?
79 of those birds nest in Mississippi: Northern Cardinal (March–August), Eastern Bluebird (March–August), Carolina Chickadee (March–June), Purple Martin (April–July).
Which winter birds use American elderberry in Mississippi?
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, Orange-crowned Warbler, Palm Warbler, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird use it in Mississippi during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Mississippi
- 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.