Smooth sumac for birds in Kansas
Red fruit heads hang on through winter. Native to Kansas, where it feeds or shelters 29 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Rhus glabra
- Native status
- Native in Kansas
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–7a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Kansas birds supported
- 29
- Nesting birds among them
- 22
Growing conditions in Kansas
Continental — humid tallgrass Flint Hills in the east to semi-arid shortgrass prairie in the west.
Hot summers above 95°F; western Kansas is dry, so water draws birds from far away.
Kansas birds that use Smooth sumac
Year-round residents (8)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling
Summer breeders (14)
Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Bullock's Oriole, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (7)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow
Cold, dry winters with strong wind; windbreaks and evergreens are prime roost cover.
Nesting season it supports in Kansas
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
- Gray Catbird — May–July
Native plants to pair with Smooth sumac in Kansas
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.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Frequently asked
Is Smooth sumac native to Kansas?
Yes. Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is recorded as native in Kansas. Kansas spans USDA 5b–7a.
What birds does Smooth sumac attract in Kansas?
In Kansas, Smooth sumac supports 29 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Smooth sumac help nesting birds in Kansas?
22 of those birds nest in Kansas: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), House Finch (April–August), American Robin (April–July).
Which winter birds use Smooth sumac in Kansas?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow use it in Kansas during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Kansas
- 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.