Smooth sumac for birds in Colorado
Red fruit heads hang on through winter. Native to Colorado, where it feeds or shelters 28 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Rhus glabra
- Native status
- Native in Colorado
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–7b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Colorado birds supported
- 28
- Nesting birds among them
- 27
Growing conditions in Colorado
Semi-arid high plains in the east and the Rocky Mountains through the center, with most backyards between 5,000 and 7,000 ft.
Warm, dry days and cool nights; afternoon storms are common in July and August.
Colorado birds that use Smooth sumac
Year-round residents (11)
House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Canada Jay, Juniper Titmouse, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Band-tailed Pigeon
Summer breeders (16)
Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Western Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, Hermit Thrush, Pine Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, Ash-throated Flycatcher
Winter visitors (1)
Cold snaps alternate with sunny, dry thaws; heated baths are valuable because natural water freezes nightly.
Nesting season it supports in Colorado
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Smooth sumac:
- House Finch — April–August
- American Robin — April–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Gray Catbird — May–July
- Northern Mockingbird — March–August
- Brown Thrasher — April–July
- Cedar Waxwing — June–August
- Yellow-rumped Warbler — May–July
- Eastern Kingbird — May–July
- European Starling — April–June
Native plants to pair with Smooth sumac in Colorado
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Frequently asked
Is Smooth sumac native to Colorado?
Yes. Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is recorded as native in Colorado. Colorado spans USDA 3a–7b.
What birds does Smooth sumac attract in Colorado?
In Colorado, Smooth sumac supports 28 backyard birds, including House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher.
Does Smooth sumac help nesting birds in Colorado?
27 of those birds nest in Colorado: House Finch (April–August), American Robin (April–July), Northern Flicker (April–June), Gray Catbird (May–July).
Which winter birds use Smooth sumac in Colorado?
Winter visitors Bohemian Waxwing use it in Colorado during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Colorado
- 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.