Paper birch for birds in Vermont
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter. Native to Vermont, where it feeds or shelters 111 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Betula papyrifera
- Native status
- Native in Vermont
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–5b
- What birds get from it
- seed, insects for nestlings
- Vermont birds supported
- 111
- Nesting birds among them
- 105
Growing conditions in Vermont
Humid continental, with the Green Mountains and the Champlain Valley.
Short, mild summers.
Vermont birds that use Paper birch
Year-round residents (50)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove, American Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Eastern Screech-Owl, House Sparrow, European Starling, American Crow, Common Raven, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Mallard, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Field Sparrow, Hooded Merganser, Canada Goose, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, Horned Lark, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (55)
Eastern Bluebird, Purple Martin, House Wren, Chipping Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, Chimney Swift, Yellow-rumped Warbler, 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, Ovenbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling 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, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bobolink, Rusty Blackbird
Winter visitors (6)
Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Merlin, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll
Long, snowy winters.
Nesting season it supports in Vermont
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 — May–August
- Eastern Bluebird — May–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- Purple Martin — June–July
- Downy Woodpecker — May–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — May–June
- American Goldfinch — August–September
- Tufted Titmouse — May–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — May–June
- House Wren — June–August
Native plants to pair with Paper birch in Vermont
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.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Frequently asked
Is Paper birch native to Vermont?
Yes. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera) is recorded as native in Vermont. Vermont spans USDA 3b–5b.
What birds does Paper birch attract in Vermont?
In Vermont, Paper birch supports 111 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does Paper birch help nesting birds in Vermont?
105 of those birds nest in Vermont: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Eastern Bluebird (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Purple Martin (June–July).
Which winter birds use Paper birch in Vermont?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Merlin, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in Vermont during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Vermont
- 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.