Smooth sumac for birds in Illinois
Red fruit heads hang on through winter. Native to Illinois, where it feeds or shelters 30 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Rhus glabra
- Native status
- Native in Illinois
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5a–7b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Illinois birds supported
- 30
- Nesting birds among them
- 24
Growing conditions in Illinois
Humid continental, grading from the Lake Michigan shore and prairie north to the forested Shawnee Hills in the south.
Hot, humid summers; much of the state is farmland, so backyard native plantings matter.
Illinois birds that use Smooth sumac
Year-round residents (9)
Northern Cardinal, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Monk Parakeet
Summer breeders (15)
Eastern Bluebird, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (6)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing
Cold, windy winters in the north; the southern tip is milder and hosts more wintering species.
Nesting season it supports in Illinois
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Smooth sumac:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Eastern Bluebird — April–August
- House Finch — April–August
- American Robin — April–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — April–June
- Baltimore Oriole — May–July
- Orchard Oriole — May–June
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — May–July
- Eastern Towhee — May–July
Native plants to pair with Smooth sumac in Illinois
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Frequently asked
Is Smooth sumac native to Illinois?
Yes. Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is recorded as native in Illinois. Illinois spans USDA 5a–7b.
What birds does Smooth sumac attract in Illinois?
In Illinois, Smooth sumac supports 30 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Smooth sumac help nesting birds in Illinois?
24 of those birds nest in Illinois: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), House Finch (April–August), American Robin (April–July).
Which winter birds use Smooth sumac in Illinois?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Illinois during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Illinois
- 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.