Winterberry for birds in New York
Winter fruit. Native to New York, where it feeds or shelters 33 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Ilex verticillata
- Native status
- Native in New York
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–7b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- New York birds supported
- 33
- Nesting birds among them
- 30
Growing conditions in New York
Humid continental, from cold Adirondack highlands to the maritime-moderated coast of Long Island.
Warm summers with a shorter nesting season upstate than downstate.
New York birds that use Winterberry
Year-round residents (13)
Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Canada Jay, Monk Parakeet
Summer breeders (17)
Eastern Bluebird, 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, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (3)
Long, snowy winters upstate; lake-effect snow belts make feeders and roost boxes important.
Nesting season it supports in New York
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 New York
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 New York?
Yes. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is recorded as native in New York. New York spans USDA 3b–7b.
What birds does Winterberry attract in New York?
In New York, Winterberry supports 33 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Blue Jay, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin.
Does Winterberry help nesting birds in New York?
30 of those birds nest in New York: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Blue Jay (April–July), House Finch (April–August).
Which winter birds use Winterberry in New York?
Winter visitors Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing use it in New York during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New York
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
- New York Breeding Bird Atlas III
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.