Loblolly pine for birds in North Carolina
Pine seed and bark insects; key habitat for Brown-headed Nuthatch. Native to North Carolina, where it feeds or shelters 101 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Pinus taeda
- Native status
- Native in North Carolina
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–8b
- What birds get from it
- conifer seed and cover, insects for nestlings
- North Carolina birds supported
- 101
- Nesting birds among them
- 82
Growing conditions in North Carolina
Mountains, Piedmont and coastal plain differ sharply — cool, snowy highlands to mild, humid coast.
Warm and humid in the Piedmont and coast; cooler at elevation.
North Carolina birds that use Loblolly pine
Year-round residents (47)
Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Song Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Phoebe, Pine Warbler, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, American Crow, Common Raven, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Hooded Merganser, Killdeer, American Woodcock, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owl, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Boat-tailed Grackle
Summer breeders (35)
Purple Martin, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, 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, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Spotted Sandpiper, Green Heron, Osprey, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (19)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Red Crossbill, Orange-crowned Warbler, Palm Warbler, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, White-winged Crossbill, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird
Black-capped Chickadees and other northern birds are confined to the highest mountains; lowlands stay mild.
Nesting season it supports in North Carolina
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Loblolly pine:
- Eastern Bluebird — March–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–June
- Carolina Chickadee — March–June
- Purple Martin — April–July
- Downy Woodpecker — April–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — April–June
- Tufted Titmouse — March–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — March–June
- House Wren — April–August
- Carolina Wren — April–August
Native plants to pair with Loblolly pine in North Carolina
Small cones for siskins and chickadees; dense winter roosting.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Frequently asked
Is Loblolly pine native to North Carolina?
Yes. Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) is recorded as native in North Carolina. North Carolina spans USDA 5b–8b.
What birds does Loblolly pine attract in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, Loblolly pine supports 101 backyard birds, including Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does Loblolly pine help nesting birds in North Carolina?
82 of those birds nest in North Carolina: Eastern Bluebird (March–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–June), Carolina Chickadee (March–June), Purple Martin (April–July).
Which winter birds use Loblolly pine in North Carolina?
Winter visitors Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Red Crossbill, Orange-crowned Warbler, Palm Warbler, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, White-winged Crossbill, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird use it in North Carolina during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — North Carolina
- 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.