Little bluestem for birds in North Dakota
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos. Native to North Dakota, where it feeds or shelters 48 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Schizachyrium scoparium
- Native status
- Native in North Dakota
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–4b
- What birds get from it
- seed
- North Dakota birds supported
- 48
- Nesting birds among them
- 36
Growing conditions in North Dakota
Continental northern prairie with prairie-pothole wetlands and the Missouri River breaks.
Short, warm summers with a peak nesting season in June.
North Dakota birds that use Little bluestem
Year-round residents (17)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Mourning Dove, House Sparrow, Black-billed Magpie, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Mallard, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Field Sparrow, Canada Goose, Horned Lark, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (19)
American Goldfinch, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Spotted Towhee, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Dickcissel, Blue Grosbeak, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (12)
Dark-eyed Junco, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch
Severe winters to −30°F; Snow Buntings and redpolls arrive from the Arctic.
Nesting season it supports in North Dakota
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
- Mourning Dove — April–September
- Song Sparrow — May–August
- Chipping Sparrow — May–July
- Common Grackle — May–June
- Red-winged Blackbird — May–July
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — June–July
Native plants to pair with Little bluestem in North Dakota
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Frequently asked
Is Little bluestem native to North Dakota?
Yes. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is recorded as native in North Dakota. North Dakota spans USDA 3a–4b.
What birds does Little bluestem attract in North Dakota?
In North Dakota, Little bluestem supports 48 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco.
Does Little bluestem help nesting birds in North Dakota?
36 of those birds nest in North Dakota: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), American Goldfinch (August–September), House Finch (May–August).
Which winter birds use Little bluestem in North Dakota?
Winter visitors Dark-eyed Junco, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch use it in North Dakota during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — North 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.