Little bluestem for birds in Pennsylvania
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos. Native to Pennsylvania, where it feeds or shelters 43 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Schizachyrium scoparium
- Native status
- Native in Pennsylvania
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5a–7b
- What birds get from it
- seed
- Pennsylvania birds supported
- 43
- Nesting birds among them
- 35
Growing conditions in Pennsylvania
Humid continental; cold, snowy winters in the north and mountains, milder in the southeast.
Warm summers; bluebirds typically raise two broods.
Pennsylvania birds that use Little bluestem
Year-round residents (23)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, House Sparrow, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Mallard, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Field Sparrow, Canada Goose, Horned Lark, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (12)
Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Bobolink
Winter visitors (8)
Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll
Snow cover makes suet and heated water valuable; both chickadee species meet in a narrow hybrid zone across the south of the state.
Nesting season it supports in Pennsylvania
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 — April–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- Carolina Chickadee — April–June
- American Goldfinch — July–September
- House Finch — April–August
- Purple Finch — May–July
- Mourning Dove — March–September
- Dark-eyed Junco — May–July
- White-throated Sparrow — May–July
- Song Sparrow — April–August
Native plants to pair with Little bluestem in Pennsylvania
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Frequently asked
Is Little bluestem native to Pennsylvania?
Yes. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is recorded as native in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania spans USDA 5a–7b.
What birds does Little bluestem attract in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, Little bluestem supports 43 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch.
Does Little bluestem help nesting birds in Pennsylvania?
35 of those birds nest in Pennsylvania: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), American Goldfinch (July–September).
Which winter birds use Little bluestem in Pennsylvania?
Winter visitors Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in Pennsylvania during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Pennsylvania
- 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.