Red-osier dogwood for birds in Wyoming
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover. Native to Wyoming, where it feeds or shelters 25 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Cornus sericea
- Native status
- Native in Wyoming
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–5b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Wyoming birds supported
- 25
- Nesting birds among them
- 24
Growing conditions in Wyoming
Semi-arid high plains and basins with major mountain ranges; most towns lie above 5,000 ft.
Short, warm summers with cool nights.
Wyoming birds that use Red-osier dogwood
Year-round residents (8)
House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Canada Jay, Juniper Titmouse, Band-tailed Pigeon
Summer breeders (16)
Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, 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)
Cold, very windy winters.
Nesting season it supports in Wyoming
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
- Gray Catbird — June–July
- Brown Thrasher — May–July
- Cedar Waxwing — July–August
- Yellow-rumped Warbler — June–July
- Eastern Kingbird — June–July
- European Starling — May–June
- Canada Jay — April
Native plants to pair with Red-osier dogwood in Wyoming
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Frequently asked
Is Red-osier dogwood native to Wyoming?
Yes. Red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is recorded as native in Wyoming. Wyoming spans USDA 3a–5b.
What birds does Red-osier dogwood attract in Wyoming?
In Wyoming, Red-osier dogwood supports 25 backyard birds, including House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing.
Does Red-osier dogwood help nesting birds in Wyoming?
24 of those birds nest in Wyoming: House Finch (May–August), American Robin (May–July), Northern Flicker (May–June), Gray Catbird (June–July).
Which winter birds use Red-osier dogwood in Wyoming?
Winter visitors Bohemian Waxwing use it in Wyoming during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Wyoming
- 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.