Sassafras for birds in North Carolina
Blue fruit on red stalks in late summer. Native to North Carolina, where it feeds or shelters 106 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Sassafras albidum
- Native status
- Native in North Carolina
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–8b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
- North Carolina birds supported
- 106
- Nesting birds among them
- 87
Growing conditions in North Carolina
Mountains, Piedmont and coastal plain differ sharply — cool, snowy highlands to mild, humid coast.
Warm and humid in the Piedmont and coast; cooler at elevation.
North Carolina birds that use Sassafras
Year-round residents (51)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, House Finch, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Song Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Phoebe, Pine Warbler, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, American Crow, Common Raven, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Hooded Merganser, 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, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Boat-tailed Grackle
Summer breeders (36)
Purple Martin, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Chimney Swift, Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Gray Catbird, 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, Spotted Sandpiper, Green Heron, Osprey, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (19)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Yellow-rumped Warbler, 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
Black-capped Chickadees and other northern birds are confined to the highest mountains; lowlands stay mild.
Nesting season it supports in North Carolina
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 — March–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–June
- Carolina Chickadee — March–June
- Purple Martin — April–July
- Downy Woodpecker — April–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — April–June
- Tufted Titmouse — March–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — March–June
- House Wren — April–August
Native plants to pair with Sassafras in North Carolina
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Frequently asked
Is Sassafras native to North Carolina?
Yes. Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is recorded as native in North Carolina. North Carolina spans USDA 5b–8b.
What birds does Sassafras attract in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, Sassafras supports 106 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker.
Does Sassafras help nesting birds in North Carolina?
87 of those birds nest in North Carolina: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (March–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–June), Carolina Chickadee (March–June).
Which winter birds use Sassafras in North Carolina?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Yellow-rumped Warbler, 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 North Carolina during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — North 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.