Red buckeye for birds in Mississippi
Blooms right as Ruby-throated Hummingbirds return. Native to Mississippi, where it feeds or shelters 3 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Aesculus pavia
- Native status
- Native in Mississippi
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 7b–9a
- What birds get from it
- nectar
- Mississippi birds supported
- 3
- Nesting birds among them
- 2
Growing conditions in Mississippi
Humid subtropical, with the Delta in the northwest, piney woods in the south and a short Gulf coastline.
Long, hot, humid summers.
Mississippi birds that use Red buckeye
Summer breeders (2)
Winter visitors (1)
Mild winters with rare hard freezes.
Nesting season it supports in Mississippi
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 Mississippi
Native red tubular flowers timed to hummingbird arrival.
Scarlet late-summer spikes; a hummingbird magnet in moist soil.
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Frequently asked
Is Red buckeye native to Mississippi?
Yes. Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is recorded as native in Mississippi. Mississippi spans USDA 7b–9a.
What birds does Red buckeye attract in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, Red buckeye supports 3 backyard birds, including Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Orchard Oriole, Rufous Hummingbird.
Does Red buckeye help nesting birds in Mississippi?
2 of those birds nest in Mississippi: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (April–August), Orchard Oriole (April–June).
Which winter birds use Red buckeye in Mississippi?
Winter visitors Rufous Hummingbird use it in Mississippi during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Mississippi
- 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.