Black cherry for birds in Alabama
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees. Native to Alabama, where it feeds or shelters 102 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Prunus serotina
- Native status
- Native in Alabama
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 7a–9a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
- Alabama birds supported
- 102
- Nesting birds among them
- 79
Growing conditions in Alabama
Humid subtropical, with Gulf-influenced warmth in Mobile and Baldwin counties and cooler Appalachian foothills in the northeast.
Long, humid summers with frequent thunderstorms — ventilated boxes and daily-refreshed water matter.
Alabama birds that use Black cherry
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
Freezes are short and snow is rare; feeder traffic peaks as goldfinches, siskins and sparrows arrive from the north.
Nesting season it supports in Alabama
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Black cherry:
- 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 Black cherry in Alabama
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 Black cherry native to Alabama?
Yes. Black cherry (Prunus serotina) is recorded as native in Alabama. Alabama spans USDA 7a–9a.
What birds does Black cherry attract in Alabama?
In Alabama, Black cherry supports 102 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does Black cherry help nesting birds in Alabama?
79 of those birds nest in Alabama: Northern Cardinal (March–August), Eastern Bluebird (March–August), Carolina Chickadee (March–June), Purple Martin (April–July).
Which winter birds use Black cherry in Alabama?
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 Alabama during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Alabama
- 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.