Birds attracted to Black Willow

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min read

Salix Nigra

Native to North America

STATE DISTRIBUTION (USDA): AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV

CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION: MB, NB, ON, QC

Black Willow Identification and Relationship with Birds

Medium sized-deciduous tree, ranging from 30 to 60 feet in height, with a spread of 30 to 60 feet. Black Willow is a wetland tree that grows in moist soils throughout the eastern United States. Due to its soft wood and many branches, it is used by many cavity-nesting birds, including the Red-Headed and Red-Bellied Woodpeckers. Black Willow produces flowery catkins in spring, the fibers of the catkins are used by some birds for nest construction. Black Willow plays hosts to an impressive list of insects and caterpillars, which in turn attracts insectivorous birds. Some birds may eat Black Willow buds, the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker will drill sapwells into the tree.