Serviceberry for birds in Louisiana
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed. Native to Louisiana, where it feeds or shelters 107 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Amelanchier arborea
- Native status
- Native in Louisiana
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 8a–10a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
- Louisiana birds supported
- 107
- Nesting birds among them
- 83
Growing conditions in Louisiana
Humid subtropical, with coastal marsh, bottomland hardwood forest and piney uplands in the north.
Very hot, humid summers and hurricane season June–November.
Louisiana birds that use Serviceberry
Year-round residents (54)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Phoebe, Pine Warbler, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, American Crow, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Gray Catbird, Hooded Merganser, Common Yellowthroat, Killdeer, American Woodcock, Green Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owl, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Greater Roadrunner, Boat-tailed Grackle, Great-tailed Grackle, Monk Parakeet
Summer breeders (29)
Purple Martin, Orchard Oriole, Indigo Bunting, Barn Swallow, Chimney Swift, Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Yellow Warbler, 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, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Spotted Sandpiper, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (24)
House Wren, Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Cedar Waxwing, Tree Swallow, 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, Burrowing Owl, Swamp Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird
Mild winters make Louisiana a major wintering ground for sparrows, wrens, and even western hummingbirds.
Nesting season it supports in Louisiana
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Serviceberry:
- Northern Cardinal — March–August
- Eastern Bluebird — March–August
- Carolina Chickadee — March–June
- Purple Martin — April–July
- Downy Woodpecker — March–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — March–June
- Tufted Titmouse — March–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — March–June
- House Finch — March–August
- Carolina Wren — March–August
Native plants to pair with Serviceberry in Louisiana
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Frequently asked
Is Serviceberry native to Louisiana?
Yes. Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) is recorded as native in Louisiana. Louisiana spans USDA 8a–10a.
What birds does Serviceberry attract in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, Serviceberry supports 107 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does Serviceberry help nesting birds in Louisiana?
83 of those birds nest in Louisiana: Northern Cardinal (March–August), Eastern Bluebird (March–August), Carolina Chickadee (March–June), Purple Martin (April–July).
Which winter birds use Serviceberry in Louisiana?
Winter visitors House Wren, Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Cedar Waxwing, Tree Swallow, 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, Burrowing Owl, Swamp Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird use it in Louisiana during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Louisiana
- 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.