Perch Supply
New Jersey · Shrub

American elderberry for birds in New Jersey

Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species. Native to New Jersey, where it feeds or shelters 102 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Sambucus canadensis
Native status
Native in New Jersey
Hardiness zones
USDA 6a–7b
What birds get from it
fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
New Jersey birds supported
102
Nesting birds among them
94

Growing conditions in New Jersey

Humid continental to subtropical, from the Highlands in the north to the Pine Barrens and Cape May.

Hot, humid summers; Cape May is a world-class migration funnel.

New Jersey birds that use American elderberry

Year-round residents (45)

Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, 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-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, American Crow, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Hooded Merganser, Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Barn Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, Monk Parakeet

Summer breeders (49)

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, Pine Warbler, Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, 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

Moderate winters; Cape May and the shore hold many half-hardy birds.

Nesting season it supports in New Jersey

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 New Jersey

Flowering dogwood
Cornus florida · Tree

Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.

Serviceberry
Amelanchier arborea · Tree

Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.

Black cherry
Prunus serotina · Tree

Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.

Arrowwood viburnum
Viburnum dentatum · Shrub

Blue-black fall fruit and dense nesting cover.

Spicebush
Lindera benzoin · Shrub

Lipid-rich red fruit fuels fall migrants.

Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Frequently asked

Is American elderberry native to New Jersey?

Yes. American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is recorded as native in New Jersey. New Jersey spans USDA 6a–7b.

What birds does American elderberry attract in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, American elderberry supports 102 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker.

Does American elderberry help nesting birds in New Jersey?

94 of those birds nest in New Jersey: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Carolina Chickadee (April–June).

Which winter birds use American elderberry in New Jersey?

Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Merlin, Bohemian Waxwing use it in New Jersey during the cold months.

Sources

  1. USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
  2. VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
  3. eBird region overview and bar charts — New Jersey
  4. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  5. 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.