Birds attracted to American Birch

Betula

Native to North America

Highlighted Birch Species:

• Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis)
• Sweet Birch (Betula lenta)
• River Birch (Betula nigra)
• Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera)
• Gray Birch (Betula populifolia)

Birch Identification and Relationship with Birds

Medium to large sized deciduous tree, ranging from 50 to 100 feet tall, with a 25 to 50-foot spread. Birch trees produce food for birds in the form of seeds (found in cone-shaped strobili), buds, and insects/caterpillars (plays host to many species). For these reasons Birch trees are one of the top options for finding and attracting birds (in addition to other forms of wildlife). Birch trees have high sap content, which makes them a favorite of the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker. Like other medium to large sized trees, planting one in your yard may not be an option due to space constraints but being able to identify this tree can help you in your search for birds when visiting environments with an established Birch population.

Birds Most Commonly Attracted to Birch

• American Goldfinch
• Black-Capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Crossbill
• Dark-Eyed Junco
• Eastern Towhee
• Insectivorous Birds
• Northern Cardinal
• Pine Siskin
• Purple Finch‍
• Tufted Titmouse‍
• White-Breasted Nuthatch‍
• Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker