Winterberry for birds in Michigan
Winter fruit. Native to Michigan, where it feeds or shelters 30 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Ilex verticillata
- Native status
- Native in Michigan
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–6b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Michigan birds supported
- 30
- Nesting birds among them
- 28
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 Winterberry
Year-round residents (10)
Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Canada Jay
Summer breeders (18)
Eastern Bluebird, White-throated Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (2)
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 Winterberry:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Eastern Bluebird — April–August
- Blue Jay — April–July
- House Finch — April–August
- Purple Finch — May–July
- American Robin — April–July
- White-throated Sparrow — May–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — April–June
- Baltimore Oriole — May–July
Native plants to pair with Winterberry in Michigan
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.
Frequently asked
Is Winterberry native to Michigan?
Yes. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is recorded as native in Michigan. Michigan spans USDA 4a–6b.
What birds does Winterberry attract in Michigan?
In Michigan, Winterberry supports 30 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Blue Jay, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin.
Does Winterberry help nesting birds in Michigan?
28 of those birds nest in Michigan: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Blue Jay (April–July), House Finch (April–August).
Which winter birds use Winterberry in Michigan?
Winter visitors Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing 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.