American elderberry for birds in North Dakota
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species. Native to North Dakota, where it feeds or shelters 87 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Sambucus canadensis
- Native status
- Native in North Dakota
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–4b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
- North Dakota birds supported
- 87
- Nesting birds among them
- 79
Growing conditions in North Dakota
Continental northern prairie with prairie-pothole wetlands and the Missouri River breaks.
Short, warm summers with a peak nesting season in June.
North Dakota birds that use American elderberry
Year-round residents (24)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, Black-billed Magpie, American Crow, Common Raven, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owl
Summer breeders (55)
Eastern Bluebird, Purple Martin, House Wren, Song Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, Chimney Swift, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, Say's Phoebe, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Least Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, 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, Burrowing Owl, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (8)
Red-breasted Nuthatch, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hooded Merganser, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Bohemian Waxwing
Severe winters to −30°F; Snow Buntings and redpolls arrive from the Arctic.
Nesting season it supports in North Dakota
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 — May–August
- Eastern Bluebird — May–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- Purple Martin — June–July
- Downy Woodpecker — May–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — May–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — May–June
- House Wren — June–August
- House Finch — May–August
- American Robin — May–July
Native plants to pair with American elderberry in North Dakota
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Frequently asked
Is American elderberry native to North Dakota?
Yes. American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is recorded as native in North Dakota. North Dakota spans USDA 3a–4b.
What birds does American elderberry attract in North Dakota?
In North Dakota, American elderberry supports 87 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does American elderberry help nesting birds in North Dakota?
79 of those birds nest in North Dakota: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Eastern Bluebird (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Purple Martin (June–July).
Which winter birds use American elderberry in North Dakota?
Winter visitors Red-breasted Nuthatch, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hooded Merganser, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Bohemian Waxwing use it in North Dakota during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — North Dakota
- 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.