Arrowwood viburnum for birds in Kentucky
Blue-black fall fruit and dense nesting cover. Native to Kentucky, where it feeds or shelters 100 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Viburnum dentatum
- Native status
- Native in Kentucky
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6a–7b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
- Kentucky birds supported
- 100
- Nesting birds among them
- 81
Growing conditions in Kentucky
Humid subtropical, from the Appalachian plateau in the east to the Bluegrass and the Mississippi lowlands in the west.
Hot, humid summers.
Kentucky birds that use Arrowwood viburnum
Year-round residents (45)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, 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, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Phoebe, Pine Warbler, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, American Crow, Common Raven, 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
Summer breeders (36)
Purple Martin, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Tree Swallow, 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 (19)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, 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
Moderate winters with periodic snow and ice.
Nesting season it supports in Kentucky
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Arrowwood viburnum:
- 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 Finch — April–August
- Carolina Wren — April–August
Native plants to pair with Arrowwood viburnum in Kentucky
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Frequently asked
Is Arrowwood viburnum native to Kentucky?
Yes. Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is recorded as native in Kentucky. Kentucky spans USDA 6a–7b.
What birds does Arrowwood viburnum attract in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, Arrowwood viburnum supports 100 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does Arrowwood viburnum help nesting birds in Kentucky?
81 of those birds nest in Kentucky: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), Purple Martin (May–July).
Which winter birds use Arrowwood viburnum in Kentucky?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, 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 Kentucky during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Kentucky
- 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.