Perch Supply
Alabama · Shrub

Red buckeye for birds in Alabama

Blooms right as Ruby-throated Hummingbirds return. Native to Alabama, where it feeds or shelters 3 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Aesculus pavia
Native status
Native in Alabama
Hardiness zones
USDA 7a–9a
What birds get from it
nectar
Alabama birds supported
3
Nesting birds among them
2

Growing conditions in Alabama

Humid subtropical, with Gulf-influenced warmth in Mobile and Baldwin counties and cooler Appalachian foothills in the northeast.

Long, humid summers with frequent thunderstorms — ventilated boxes and daily-refreshed water matter.

Alabama birds that use Red buckeye

Winter visitors (1)

Rufous Hummingbird

Freezes are short and snow is rare; feeder traffic peaks as goldfinches, siskins and sparrows arrive from the north.

Nesting season it supports in Alabama

Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Red buckeye:

  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird — April–August
  • Orchard Oriole — April–June

Native plants to pair with Red buckeye in Alabama

Trumpet honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens · Vine

Native red tubular flowers timed to hummingbird arrival.

Trumpet creeper
Campsis radicans · Vine

Large orange trumpets through midsummer.

Cardinal flower
Lobelia cardinalis · Perennial

Scarlet late-summer spikes; a hummingbird magnet in moist soil.

Wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Coral bean
Erythrina herbacea · Shrub

Red tubular spring flowers for early hummingbirds.

Flowering dogwood
Cornus florida · Tree

Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.

Frequently asked

Is Red buckeye native to Alabama?

Yes. Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is recorded as native in Alabama. Alabama spans USDA 7a–9a.

What birds does Red buckeye attract in Alabama?

In Alabama, Red buckeye supports 3 backyard birds, including Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Orchard Oriole, Rufous Hummingbird.

Does Red buckeye help nesting birds in Alabama?

2 of those birds nest in Alabama: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (April–August), Orchard Oriole (April–June).

Which winter birds use Red buckeye in Alabama?

Winter visitors Rufous Hummingbird use it in Alabama during the cold months.

Sources

  1. USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
  2. VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
  3. eBird region overview and bar charts — Alabama
  4. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  5. 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.