Sassafras for birds in New York
Blue fruit on red stalks in late summer. Native to New York, where it feeds or shelters 99 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Sassafras albidum
- Native status
- Native in New York
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–7b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
- New York birds supported
- 99
- Nesting birds among them
- 95
Growing conditions in New York
Humid continental, from cold Adirondack highlands to the maritime-moderated coast of Long Island.
Warm summers with a shorter nesting season upstate than downstate.
New York birds that use Sassafras
Year-round residents (42)
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, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, Canada Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, 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, Monk Parakeet
Summer breeders (53)
Eastern Bluebird, Purple Martin, House Wren, Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, Chimney Swift, Yellow-rumped Warbler, 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, White-eyed 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, Rusty Blackbird
Winter visitors (4)
Long, snowy winters upstate; lake-effect snow belts make feeders and roost boxes important.
Nesting season it supports in New York
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 — May–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 New York
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 New York?
Yes. Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is recorded as native in New York. New York spans USDA 3b–7b.
What birds does Sassafras attract in New York?
In New York, Sassafras supports 99 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does Sassafras help nesting birds in New York?
95 of those birds nest in New York: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Purple Martin (May–July).
Which winter birds use Sassafras in New York?
Winter visitors Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Merlin, Bohemian Waxwing use it in New York during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New York
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
- New York Breeding Bird Atlas III
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.