Red maple for birds in South Carolina
Among the first spring bloomers; early insects for returning migrants. Native to South Carolina, where it feeds or shelters 123 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Acer rubrum
- Native status
- Native in South Carolina
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 7a–9a
- What birds get from it
- insects for nestlings, seed
- South Carolina birds supported
- 123
- Nesting birds among them
- 97
Growing conditions in South Carolina
Humid subtropical, from the Blue Ridge foothills to the Lowcountry marshes.
Hot, humid summers.
South Carolina birds that use Red maple
Year-round residents (60)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Carolina Wren, Mourning Dove, American Robin, Chipping Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Phoebe, Pine Warbler, Eastern Screech-Owl, House Sparrow, European Starling, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Cooper's 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, Field Sparrow, Hooded Merganser, Canada Goose, 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, Horned Lark, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Boat-tailed Grackle, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (37)
Purple Martin, Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Gray Catbird, Barn Swallow, Chimney Swift, Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, 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, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, American Coot, Spotted Sandpiper, Green Heron, Osprey, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (26)
American Goldfinch, House Wren, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Pine Siskin, Tree Swallow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Orange-crowned Warbler, Palm Warbler, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird
Mild winters; Lowcountry backyards host Painted Buntings in summer and many sparrows in winter.
Nesting season it supports in South Carolina
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Red maple:
- Northern Cardinal — March–August
- Eastern Bluebird — March–August
- Carolina Chickadee — March–June
- Purple Martin — April–July
- Downy Woodpecker — March–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — March–June
- Tufted Titmouse — March–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — March–June
- House Finch — March–August
- Carolina Wren — March–August
Native plants to pair with Red maple in South Carolina
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Frequently asked
Is Red maple native to South Carolina?
Yes. Red maple (Acer rubrum) is recorded as native in South Carolina. South Carolina spans USDA 7a–9a.
What birds does Red maple attract in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, Red maple supports 123 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does Red maple help nesting birds in South Carolina?
97 of those birds nest in South Carolina: Northern Cardinal (March–August), Eastern Bluebird (March–August), Carolina Chickadee (March–June), Purple Martin (April–July).
Which winter birds use Red maple in South Carolina?
Winter visitors American Goldfinch, House Wren, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Pine Siskin, Tree Swallow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Orange-crowned Warbler, Palm Warbler, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird use it in South Carolina during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — South 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.