Winterberry for birds in Arkansas
Deciduous holly holding red fruit into mid-winter. Native to Arkansas, where it feeds or shelters 27 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Ilex verticillata
- Native status
- Native in Arkansas
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6b–8b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Arkansas birds supported
- 27
- Nesting birds among them
- 20
Growing conditions in Arkansas
Humid subtropical, with the Ozark and Ouachita highlands in the northwest and the flat Mississippi Delta in the east.
Hot, humid summers; shade nest boxes in the Delta.
Arkansas birds that use Winterberry
Year-round residents (10)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, European Starling
Summer breeders (10)
Orchard Oriole, Gray Catbird, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (7)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Palm Warbler
Mild winters with occasional ice storms that make suet and sheltered feeders critical for a few days at a time.
Nesting season it supports in Arkansas
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Winterberry:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Eastern Bluebird — April–August
- House Finch — April–August
- American Robin — April–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — April–June
- Orchard Oriole — May–June
- Eastern Towhee — May–July
- Gray Catbird — May–July
- Northern Mockingbird — March–August
Native plants to pair with Winterberry in Arkansas
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Frequently asked
Is Winterberry native to Arkansas?
Yes. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is recorded as native in Arkansas. Arkansas spans USDA 6b–8b.
What birds does Winterberry attract in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, Winterberry supports 27 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Winterberry help nesting birds in Arkansas?
20 of those birds nest in Arkansas: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), House Finch (April–August), American Robin (April–July).
Which winter birds use Winterberry in Arkansas?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Palm Warbler use it in Arkansas during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Arkansas
- 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.