Sugar maple for birds in Massachusetts
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects. Native to Massachusetts, where it feeds or shelters 114 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Acer saccharum
- Native status
- Native in Massachusetts
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5a–7b
- What birds get from it
- insects for nestlings, seed
- Massachusetts birds supported
- 114
- Nesting birds among them
- 103
Growing conditions in Massachusetts
Humid continental with maritime influence on Cape Cod and the islands.
Warm summers; nesting peaks late May to July.
Massachusetts birds that use Sugar maple
Year-round residents (50)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Carolina Wren, Mourning Dove, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Eastern Screech-Owl, House Sparrow, European Starling, American Crow, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Mallard, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Field Sparrow, Hooded Merganser, Canada Goose, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, Horned Lark, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (53)
Eastern Bluebird, Purple Martin, House Wren, Chipping Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, Chimney Swift, Pine Warbler, Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Lark Sparrow, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler, Ovenbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling 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, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bobolink
Winter visitors (11)
Dark-eyed Junco, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Tree Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Merlin, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll
Snowy winters with nor'easters; Cape Cod is milder and holds more half-hardy birds.
Nesting season it supports in Massachusetts
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
- 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
- House Wren — May–August
Native plants to pair with Sugar maple in Massachusetts
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Frequently asked
Is Sugar maple native to Massachusetts?
Yes. Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is recorded as native in Massachusetts. Massachusetts spans USDA 5a–7b.
What birds does Sugar maple attract in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, Sugar maple supports 114 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does Sugar maple help nesting birds in Massachusetts?
103 of those birds nest in Massachusetts: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Purple Martin (May–July).
Which winter birds use Sugar maple in Massachusetts?
Winter visitors Dark-eyed Junco, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Tree Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Merlin, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in Massachusetts during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Massachusetts
- 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.