American elderberry for birds in Oklahoma
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species. Native to Oklahoma, where it feeds or shelters 117 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Sambucus canadensis
- Native status
- Native in Oklahoma
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6a–8a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
- Oklahoma birds supported
- 117
- Nesting birds among them
- 98
Growing conditions in Oklahoma
Humid in the forested east, semi-arid in the western plains and Panhandle.
Hot summers with strong winds; water is especially valuable in the west.
Oklahoma birds that use American elderberry
Year-round residents (48)
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, Bushtit, Juniper Titmouse, Black-crested Titmouse, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Curve-billed Thrasher, Bewick's Wren, American Crow, Common Raven, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owl, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Greater Roadrunner, Great-tailed Grackle
Summer breeders (50)
Purple Martin, House Wren, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Chimney Swift, Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Say's Phoebe, Bullock's Oriole, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Ovenbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Least Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Ash-throated 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, Burrowing Owl, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (19)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Hooded Merganser, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird
Mild winters with occasional severe ice storms.
Nesting season it supports in Oklahoma
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
- 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
- House Finch — April–August
Native plants to pair with American elderberry in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma?
Yes. American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is recorded as native in Oklahoma. Oklahoma spans USDA 6a–8a.
What birds does American elderberry attract in Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma, American elderberry supports 117 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does American elderberry help nesting birds in Oklahoma?
98 of those birds nest in Oklahoma: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), Purple Martin (May–July).
Which winter birds use American elderberry in Oklahoma?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Hooded Merganser, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird use it in Oklahoma during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Oklahoma
- 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.