Little bluestem for birds in New Hampshire
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos. Native to New Hampshire, where it feeds or shelters 40 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Schizachyrium scoparium
- Native status
- Native in New Hampshire
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–6a
- What birds get from it
- seed
- New Hampshire birds supported
- 40
- Nesting birds among them
- 35
Growing conditions in New Hampshire
Humid continental, with the White Mountains dividing the southern lowlands from northern forest.
Mild summers; nesting starts late May.
New Hampshire birds that use Little bluestem
Year-round residents (22)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Mallard, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Field Sparrow, Canada Goose, Horned Lark, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (13)
Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Towhee, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Bobolink, Rusty Blackbird
Winter visitors (5)
Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll
Long, snowy winters; boreal species visit feeders in irruption years.
Nesting season it supports in New Hampshire
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Little bluestem:
- Northern Cardinal — May–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- American Goldfinch — August–September
- House Finch — May–August
- Purple Finch — June–July
- Mourning Dove — April–September
- Dark-eyed Junco — June–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Song Sparrow — May–August
- Chipping Sparrow — May–July
Native plants to pair with Little bluestem in New Hampshire
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Frequently asked
Is Little bluestem native to New Hampshire?
Yes. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is recorded as native in New Hampshire. New Hampshire spans USDA 3b–6a.
What birds does Little bluestem attract in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, Little bluestem supports 40 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove.
Does Little bluestem help nesting birds in New Hampshire?
35 of those birds nest in New Hampshire: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), American Goldfinch (August–September), House Finch (May–August).
Which winter birds use Little bluestem in New Hampshire?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in New Hampshire during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Hampshire
- 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.