Wyoming · Tree

Common hackberry for birds in Wyoming

Sweet dry fruit on the branch all winter. Native to Wyoming, where it feeds or shelters 85 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Celtis occidentalis
Native status
Native in Wyoming
Hardiness zones
USDA 3a–5b
What birds get from it
fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
Wyoming birds supported
85
Nesting birds among them
83

Growing conditions in Wyoming

Semi-arid high plains and basins with major mountain ranges; most towns lie above 5,000 ft.

Short, warm summers with cool nights.

Wyoming birds that use Common hackberry

Summer breeders (45)

House Wren, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-winged Blackbird, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, Say's Phoebe, Fox Sparrow, Violet-green Swallow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Pine Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Yellow-breasted Chat, Orange-crowned Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Least Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Burrowing Owl, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird

Cold, very windy winters.

Nesting season it supports in Wyoming

Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Common hackberry:

  • Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
  • Downy Woodpecker — May–June
  • Hairy Woodpecker — May–June
  • White-breasted Nuthatch — May–June
  • House Wren — June–August
  • House Finch — May–August
  • American Robin — May–July
  • Song Sparrow — May–August
  • Northern Flicker — May–June
  • Red-headed Woodpecker — June–July

Native plants to pair with Common hackberry in Wyoming

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae · Perennial

Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Pinus ponderosa · Tree

Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.

Ericameria nauseosa · Shrub

Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.

Pseudotsuga menziesii · Tree

Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees.

Frequently asked

Is Common hackberry native to Wyoming?

Yes. Common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) is recorded as native in Wyoming. Wyoming spans USDA 3a–5b.

What birds does Common hackberry attract in Wyoming?

In Wyoming, Common hackberry supports 85 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, House Finch.

Does Common hackberry help nesting birds in Wyoming?

83 of those birds nest in Wyoming: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Downy Woodpecker (May–June), Hairy Woodpecker (May–June), White-breasted Nuthatch (May–June).

Which winter birds use Common hackberry in Wyoming?

Winter visitors Hooded Merganser, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Wyoming during the cold months.

Sources

  1. USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
  2. VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
  3. eBird region overview and bar charts — Wyoming
  4. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  5. 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.