Paper birch for birds in New Jersey
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter. Native to New Jersey, where it feeds or shelters 121 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Betula papyrifera
- Native status
- Native in New Jersey
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6a–7b
- What birds get from it
- seed, insects for nestlings
- New Jersey birds supported
- 121
- Nesting birds among them
- 110
Growing conditions in New Jersey
Humid continental to subtropical, from the Highlands in the north to the Pine Barrens and Cape May.
Hot, humid summers; Cape May is a world-class migration funnel.
New Jersey birds that use Paper birch
Year-round residents (57)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Carolina Wren, Mourning Dove, American Robin, Song Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Eastern Screech-Owl, House Sparrow, European Starling, American Crow, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Mallard, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Field Sparrow, Hooded Merganser, Canada Goose, Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Barn Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, Horned Lark, Rock Pigeon, Monk Parakeet
Summer breeders (53)
Purple Martin, House Wren, Chipping Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, Chimney Swift, Pine Warbler, Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Lark Sparrow, 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, Least Flycatcher, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, American Coot, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Green Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bobolink
Winter visitors (11)
Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Tree Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Merlin, Snow Bunting, Hoary Redpoll
Moderate winters; Cape May and the shore hold many half-hardy birds.
Nesting season it supports in New Jersey
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Paper birch:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Eastern Bluebird — April–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- Carolina Chickadee — April–June
- Purple Martin — May–July
- Downy Woodpecker — April–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — April–June
- American Goldfinch — July–September
- Tufted Titmouse — April–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — April–June
Native plants to pair with Paper birch in New Jersey
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Frequently asked
Is Paper birch native to New Jersey?
Yes. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera) is recorded as native in New Jersey. New Jersey spans USDA 6a–7b.
What birds does Paper birch attract in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, Paper birch supports 121 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker.
Does Paper birch help nesting birds in New Jersey?
110 of those birds nest in New Jersey: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Carolina Chickadee (April–June).
Which winter birds use Paper birch in New Jersey?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Tree Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Merlin, Snow Bunting, Hoary Redpoll use it in New Jersey during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Jersey
- 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.