Yaupon holly for birds in Alabama
Evergreen cover with heavy winter berry crops. Native to Alabama, where it feeds or shelters 27 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Ilex vomitoria
- Native status
- Native in Alabama
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 7a–9a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Alabama birds supported
- 27
- Nesting birds among them
- 20
Growing conditions in Alabama
Humid subtropical, with Gulf-influenced warmth in Mobile and Baldwin counties and cooler Appalachian foothills in the northeast.
Long, humid summers with frequent thunderstorms — ventilated boxes and daily-refreshed water matter.
Alabama birds that use Yaupon holly
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
Freezes are short and snow is rare; feeder traffic peaks as goldfinches, siskins and sparrows arrive from the north.
Nesting season it supports in Alabama
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Yaupon holly:
- Northern Cardinal — March–August
- Eastern Bluebird — March–August
- House Finch — March–August
- American Robin — March–July
- Northern Flicker — March–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — March–June
- Orchard Oriole — April–June
- Eastern Towhee — April–July
- Gray Catbird — April–July
- Northern Mockingbird — February–August
Native plants to pair with Yaupon holly in Alabama
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 Yaupon holly native to Alabama?
Yes. Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) is recorded as native in Alabama. Alabama spans USDA 7a–9a.
What birds does Yaupon holly attract in Alabama?
In Alabama, Yaupon holly supports 27 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Yaupon holly help nesting birds in Alabama?
20 of those birds nest in Alabama: Northern Cardinal (March–August), Eastern Bluebird (March–August), House Finch (March–August), American Robin (March–July).
Which winter birds use Yaupon holly in Alabama?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Palm Warbler use it in Alabama during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Alabama
- 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.