Tall goldenrod for birds in Delaware
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter. Native to Delaware, where it feeds or shelters 118 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Solidago altissima
- Native status
- Native in Delaware
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 7a–8a
- What birds get from it
- seed, insects for nestlings
- Delaware birds supported
- 118
- Nesting birds among them
- 98
Growing conditions in Delaware
Humid subtropical to temperate coastal plain between Delaware Bay and the Atlantic.
Hot, humid summers; bay-shore woodlots are important migrant stopovers in May.
Delaware birds that use Tall goldenrod
Year-round residents (52)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, 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, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Eastern Screech-Owl, House Sparrow, European Starling, 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, Killdeer, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owl, Horned Lark, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (46)
Purple Martin, House Wren, Chipping Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, 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, 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, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, American Coot, Spotted Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Green Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Osprey, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (20)
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, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird
Mild winters with modest snow; coastal marshes draw huge numbers of wintering sparrows and blackbirds.
Nesting season it supports in Delaware
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Tall goldenrod:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Eastern Bluebird — April–August
- 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
- House Wren — May–August
Native plants to pair with Tall goldenrod in Delaware
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Frequently asked
Is Tall goldenrod native to Delaware?
Yes. Tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima) is recorded as native in Delaware. Delaware spans USDA 7a–8a.
What birds does Tall goldenrod attract in Delaware?
In Delaware, Tall goldenrod supports 118 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does Tall goldenrod help nesting birds in Delaware?
98 of those birds nest in Delaware: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), Purple Martin (May–July).
Which winter birds use Tall goldenrod in Delaware?
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, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird use it in Delaware during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Delaware
- 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.