Bur oak for birds in Indiana
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load. Native to Indiana, where it feeds or shelters 94 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Quercus macrocarpa
- Native status
- Native in Indiana
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–7a
- What birds get from it
- acorns and nuts, insects for nestlings
- Indiana birds supported
- 94
- Nesting birds among them
- 85
Growing conditions in Indiana
Humid continental, from Lake Michigan dunes in the north to the forested hill country of the south.
Warm, humid summers with frequent storms.
Indiana birds that use Bur oak
Year-round residents (36)
Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Blue Jay, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Song Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Mockingbird, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, American Crow, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Hooded Merganser, Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owl
Summer breeders (49)
Eastern Bluebird, Purple Martin, House Wren, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, 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, Least 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, Swamp Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (9)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl
Cold winters with lake-effect snow in the far north.
Nesting season it supports in Indiana
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Bur oak:
- Eastern Bluebird — April–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- 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
- Blue Jay — April–July
Native plants to pair with Bur oak in Indiana
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Frequently asked
Is Bur oak native to Indiana?
Yes. Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) is recorded as native in Indiana. Indiana spans USDA 5b–7a.
What birds does Bur oak attract in Indiana?
In Indiana, Bur oak supports 94 backyard birds, including Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does Bur oak help nesting birds in Indiana?
85 of those birds nest in Indiana: Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), Purple Martin (May–July).
Which winter birds use Bur oak in Indiana?
Winter visitors Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl use it in Indiana during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Indiana
- 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.