Sugar maple for birds in Indiana
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects. Native to Indiana, where it feeds or shelters 123 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Acer saccharum
- Native status
- Native in Indiana
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–7a
- What birds get from it
- insects for nestlings, seed
- Indiana birds supported
- 123
- Nesting birds among them
- 104
Growing conditions in Indiana
Humid continental, from Lake Michigan dunes in the north to the forested hill country of the south.
Warm, humid summers with frequent storms.
Indiana birds that use Sugar maple
Year-round residents (49)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Carolina Wren, Mourning Dove, American Robin, Song Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Eastern Screech-Owl, House Sparrow, European Starling, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Mallard, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Field Sparrow, Hooded Merganser, Canada Goose, Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owl, Horned Lark, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (55)
Eastern Bluebird, Purple Martin, House Wren, Chipping Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, Chimney Swift, Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Gray Catbird, Lark Sparrow, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Ovenbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Least Flycatcher, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, American Coot, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Green Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Dickcissel, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (19)
Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Hoary Redpoll
Cold winters with lake-effect snow in the far north.
Nesting season it supports in Indiana
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Sugar maple:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Eastern Bluebird — April–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- Carolina Chickadee — April–June
- Purple Martin — May–July
- Downy Woodpecker — April–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — April–June
- American Goldfinch — July–September
- Tufted Titmouse — April–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — April–June
Native plants to pair with Sugar maple in Indiana
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Frequently asked
Is Sugar maple native to Indiana?
Yes. Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is recorded as native in Indiana. Indiana spans USDA 5b–7a.
What birds does Sugar maple attract in Indiana?
In Indiana, Sugar maple supports 123 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker.
Does Sugar maple help nesting birds in Indiana?
104 of those birds nest in Indiana: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Carolina Chickadee (April–June).
Which winter birds use Sugar maple in Indiana?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Hoary Redpoll use it in Indiana during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Indiana
- 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.