Sassafras for birds in Massachusetts
Blue fruit on red stalks in late summer. Native to Massachusetts, where it feeds or shelters 92 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Sassafras albidum
- Native status
- Native in Massachusetts
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5a–7b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
- Massachusetts birds supported
- 92
- Nesting birds among them
- 87
Growing conditions in Massachusetts
Humid continental with maritime influence on Cape Cod and the islands.
Warm summers; nesting peaks late May to July.
Massachusetts birds that use Sassafras
Year-round residents (40)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Carolina Wren, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, American Crow, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Hooded Merganser, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker
Summer breeders (47)
Eastern Bluebird, Purple Martin, House Wren, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, Chimney Swift, Pine Warbler, Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler, Ovenbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Least Flycatcher, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Green Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Swamp Sparrow, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bobolink
Winter visitors (5)
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Merlin, Bohemian Waxwing
Snowy winters with nor'easters; Cape Cod is milder and holds more half-hardy birds.
Nesting season it supports in Massachusetts
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Sassafras:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Eastern Bluebird — April–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- Purple Martin — May–July
- Downy Woodpecker — April–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — April–June
- Tufted Titmouse — April–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — April–June
- House Wren — May–August
- House Finch — April–August
Native plants to pair with Sassafras in Massachusetts
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 Sassafras native to Massachusetts?
Yes. Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is recorded as native in Massachusetts. Massachusetts spans USDA 5a–7b.
What birds does Sassafras attract in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, Sassafras supports 92 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does Sassafras help nesting birds in Massachusetts?
87 of those birds nest in Massachusetts: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Purple Martin (May–July).
Which winter birds use Sassafras in Massachusetts?
Winter visitors Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Merlin, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Massachusetts during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Massachusetts
- 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.