Spicebush for birds in Wisconsin
Lipid-rich red fruit fuels fall migrants. Native to Wisconsin, where it feeds or shelters 97 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Lindera benzoin
- Native status
- Native in Wisconsin
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–6a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
- Wisconsin birds supported
- 97
- Nesting birds among them
- 92
Growing conditions in Wisconsin
Humid continental, with two Great Lakes shorelines, northern forest and southern prairie-oak savanna.
Warm, humid summers.
Wisconsin birds that use Spicebush
Year-round residents (35)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, Song Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, Canada Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Hooded Merganser, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker
Summer breeders (57)
Eastern Bluebird, Purple Martin, House Wren, White-throated Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, Chimney Swift, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Ovenbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Least Flycatcher, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Green Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Merlin, Swamp Sparrow, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (5)
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing
Cold, snowy winters; boreal finches visit the north.
Nesting season it supports in Wisconsin
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Spicebush:
- Northern Cardinal — May–August
- Eastern Bluebird — May–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- Purple Martin — June–July
- Downy Woodpecker — May–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — May–June
- Tufted Titmouse — May–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — May–June
- House Wren — June–August
- House Finch — May–August
Native plants to pair with Spicebush in Wisconsin
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Frequently asked
Is Spicebush native to Wisconsin?
Yes. Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is recorded as native in Wisconsin. Wisconsin spans USDA 3b–6a.
What birds does Spicebush attract in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, Spicebush supports 97 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does Spicebush help nesting birds in Wisconsin?
92 of those birds nest in Wisconsin: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Eastern Bluebird (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Purple Martin (June–July).
Which winter birds use Spicebush in Wisconsin?
Winter visitors Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Wisconsin during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Wisconsin
- 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.