Black cherry for birds in South Dakota
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees. Native to South Dakota, where it feeds or shelters 92 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Prunus serotina
- Native status
- Native in South Dakota
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–5b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
- South Dakota birds supported
- 92
- Nesting birds among them
- 85
Growing conditions in South Dakota
Continental, with prairie east of the Missouri River and the forested Black Hills in the west.
Warm summers with thunderstorms; the Black Hills host western mountain birds.
South Dakota birds that use Black cherry
Year-round residents (30)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, American Robin, Song Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, Black-billed Magpie, Canada Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Pygmy Nuthatch, American Crow, Common Raven, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, 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, 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, Violet-green Swallow, 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 (7)
Red-breasted Nuthatch, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hooded Merganser, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl
Cold, windy winters.
Nesting season it supports in South Dakota
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 — April–August
- Eastern Bluebird — April–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- Purple Martin — May–July
- Downy Woodpecker — April–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — April–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — April–June
- House Wren — May–August
- House Finch — April–August
- American Robin — April–July
Native plants to pair with Black cherry in South Dakota
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Frequently asked
Is Black cherry native to South Dakota?
Yes. Black cherry (Prunus serotina) is recorded as native in South Dakota. South Dakota spans USDA 3b–5b.
What birds does Black cherry attract in South Dakota?
In South Dakota, Black cherry supports 92 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does Black cherry help nesting birds in South Dakota?
85 of those birds nest in South Dakota: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Purple Martin (May–July).
Which winter birds use Black cherry in South Dakota?
Winter visitors Red-breasted Nuthatch, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hooded Merganser, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl use it in South Dakota during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — South 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.