Smooth sumac for birds in Alberta
Red fruit heads hang on through winter. Native to Alberta, where it feeds or shelters 27 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Rhus glabra
- Native status
- Native in Alberta
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 2a–4b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Alberta birds supported
- 27
- Nesting birds among them
- 27
Growing conditions in Alberta
Continental — prairie in the southeast, aspen parkland in the center, boreal forest in the north and the Rockies in the west.
Warm, sunny summers with long days.
Alberta birds that use Smooth sumac
Year-round residents (5)
Purple Finch, Pileated Woodpecker, European Starling, Canada Jay, Pine Grosbeak
Summer breeders (22)
American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Varied Thrush, Bullock's Oriole, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Bohemian Waxwing
Nesting season it supports in Alberta
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Smooth sumac:
- Purple Finch — June–July
- American Robin — May–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Northern Flicker — May–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — May–June
- Baltimore Oriole — June–July
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — June–July
- Gray Catbird — June–July
- Brown Thrasher — May–July
- Cedar Waxwing — July–August
Native plants to pair with Smooth sumac in Alberta
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Frequently asked
Is Smooth sumac native to Alberta?
Yes. Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is recorded as native in Alberta. Alberta spans Canada 2a–4b.
What birds does Smooth sumac attract in Alberta?
In Alberta, Smooth sumac supports 27 backyard birds, including Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Baltimore Oriole.
Does Smooth sumac help nesting birds in Alberta?
27 of those birds nest in Alberta: Purple Finch (June–July), American Robin (May–July), White-throated Sparrow (June–July), Northern Flicker (May–June).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Alberta
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- 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.