Tall goldenrod for birds in Michigan
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter. Native to Michigan, where it feeds or shelters 120 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Solidago altissima
- Native status
- Native in Michigan
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–6b
- What birds get from it
- seed, insects for nestlings
- Michigan birds supported
- 120
- Nesting birds among them
- 111
Growing conditions in Michigan
Humid continental, strongly shaped by the Great Lakes; colder and snowier in the Upper Peninsula.
A compressed nesting season; bluebirds usually manage one or two broods.
Michigan birds that use Tall goldenrod
Year-round residents (49)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove, American Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Eastern Screech-Owl, House Sparrow, European Starling, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Common Raven, 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, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, Horned Lark, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (62)
Eastern Bluebird, Purple Martin, House Wren, White-throated Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore 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, Lark Sparrow, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Black-and-white 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, American Coot, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Green Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Merlin, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Dickcissel, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (9)
Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll
Lake-effect snow and long cold spells; Purple Finches breed in the north and winter farther south.
Nesting season it supports in Michigan
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
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- Purple Martin — May–July
- Downy Woodpecker — May–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 Michigan
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Frequently asked
Is Tall goldenrod native to Michigan?
Yes. Tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima) is recorded as native in Michigan. Michigan spans USDA 4a–6b.
What birds does Tall goldenrod attract in Michigan?
In Michigan, Tall goldenrod supports 120 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does Tall goldenrod help nesting birds in Michigan?
111 of those birds nest in Michigan: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Purple Martin (May–July).
Which winter birds use Tall goldenrod in Michigan?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in Michigan during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Michigan
- 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.