Tamarack for birds in Illinois
Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls. Native to Illinois, where it feeds or shelters 94 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Larix laricina
- Native status
- Native in Illinois
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5a–7b
- What birds get from it
- conifer seed and cover, insects for nestlings
- Illinois birds supported
- 94
- Nesting birds among them
- 81
Growing conditions in Illinois
Humid continental, grading from the Lake Michigan shore and prairie north to the forested Shawnee Hills in the south.
Hot, humid summers; much of the state is farmland, so backyard native plantings matter.
Illinois birds that use Tamarack
Year-round residents (32)
Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Song Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Mockingbird, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, American Crow, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Hooded Merganser, Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owl
Summer breeders (49)
Eastern Bluebird, Purple Martin, House Wren, 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, 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, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Green Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Swamp Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (13)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-winged Crossbill
Cold, windy winters in the north; the southern tip is milder and hosts more wintering species.
Nesting season it supports in Illinois
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Tamarack:
- 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
- Tufted Titmouse — April–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — April–June
- House Wren — May–August
- Carolina Wren — April–August
Native plants to pair with Tamarack in Illinois
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Frequently asked
Is Tamarack native to Illinois?
Yes. Tamarack (Larix laricina) is recorded as native in Illinois. Illinois spans USDA 5a–7b.
What birds does Tamarack attract in Illinois?
In Illinois, Tamarack supports 94 backyard birds, including Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does Tamarack help nesting birds in Illinois?
81 of those birds nest in Illinois: Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), Purple Martin (May–July).
Which winter birds use Tamarack in Illinois?
Winter visitors Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, White-winged Crossbill use it in Illinois during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Illinois
- 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.