Red-osier dogwood for birds in Montana
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover. Native to Montana, where it feeds or shelters 28 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Cornus sericea
- Native status
- Native in Montana
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–6a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Montana birds supported
- 28
- Nesting birds among them
- 27
Growing conditions in Montana
Continental — Rocky Mountain forest in the west, semi-arid Great Plains in the east.
Warm, dry summers and a short growing season.
Montana birds that use Red-osier dogwood
Year-round residents (8)
House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Canada Jay, Band-tailed Pigeon
Summer breeders (19)
Baltimore Oriole, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Spotted Towhee, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Varied Thrush, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, Hermit Thrush, Pine Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, Ash-throated Flycatcher
Winter visitors (1)
Very cold winters on the plains, with chinook winds bringing sudden thaws.
Nesting season it supports in Montana
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Red-osier dogwood:
- House Finch — May–August
- American Robin — May–July
- Northern Flicker — May–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — May–June
- Baltimore Oriole — June–July
- Gray Catbird — June–July
- Brown Thrasher — May–July
- Cedar Waxwing — July–August
- Yellow-rumped Warbler — June–July
- Eastern Kingbird — June–July
Native plants to pair with Red-osier dogwood in Montana
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Frequently asked
Is Red-osier dogwood native to Montana?
Yes. Red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is recorded as native in Montana. Montana spans USDA 3a–6a.
What birds does Red-osier dogwood attract in Montana?
In Montana, Red-osier dogwood supports 28 backyard birds, including House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Baltimore Oriole, Gray Catbird.
Does Red-osier dogwood help nesting birds in Montana?
27 of those birds nest in Montana: House Finch (May–August), American Robin (May–July), Northern Flicker (May–June), Pileated Woodpecker (May–June).
Which winter birds use Red-osier dogwood in Montana?
Winter visitors Bohemian Waxwing use it in Montana during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Montana
- 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.