Smooth sumac for birds in Louisiana
Red fruit heads hang on through winter. Native to Louisiana, where it feeds or shelters 28 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Rhus glabra
- Native status
- Native in Louisiana
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 8a–10a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Louisiana birds supported
- 28
- Nesting birds among them
- 21
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 Smooth sumac
Year-round residents (13)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, European Starling, Gray Catbird, Monk Parakeet
Summer breeders (8)
Orchard Oriole, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet 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, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Palm Warbler
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 Smooth sumac:
- Northern Cardinal — March–August
- Eastern Bluebird — March–August
- House Finch — March–August
- American Robin — March–July
- Northern Flicker — March–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — March–June
- Orchard Oriole — April–June
- Eastern Towhee — April–July
- Gray Catbird — April–July
- Northern Mockingbird — February–August
Native plants to pair with Smooth sumac in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
Yes. Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is recorded as native in Louisiana. Louisiana spans USDA 8a–10a.
What birds does Smooth sumac attract in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, Smooth sumac supports 28 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Smooth sumac help nesting birds in Louisiana?
21 of those birds nest in Louisiana: Northern Cardinal (March–August), Eastern Bluebird (March–August), House Finch (March–August), American Robin (March–July).
Which winter birds use Smooth sumac in Louisiana?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Palm Warbler 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.