Hawthorn berries are known to be toxic to humans, but they’re an important food source for many birds. In this article, we will explore 10 Birds That Eat Hawthorn Berries (With Photos, ID & Info!).
Table of Contents
Birds That Eat Hawthorn Berries
American Robin

The American Robin is a migratory songbird that can be found in the United States and Canada. The bird’s range extends from the Atlantic coast to the Rocky Mountains, and from southern Canada to northern Mexico. They typically reside in open woodlands, chaparral, and gardens.
The American Robin feeds on a variety of invertebrates, such as caterpillars, beetles, and grasshoppers, as well as fruit. In late summer and fall, they consume large quantities of hawthorn berries.
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Brown Thrasher

The Brown Thrasher is a medium-sized passerine bird that is found in the eastern and central United States. This bird is common in open woodlands, farmlands, and suburban areas. The Brown Thrasher has a large range, and can be found from Ontario in Canada south to Florida and west to Texas.
The Brown Thrasher prefers to live in open habitats with scattered trees or shrubs. These birds can be found in forest edges, abandoned farmland, hedgerows, and suburban areas. The diet of the Brown Thrasher consists of insects, berries, and seeds. These birds are especially fond of Hawthorn berries, and will often forage for these fruits in the wintertime.
Cedar Waxwing

The cedar waxwing is a migratory bird that is found in North America. They are typically around 7 inches in length and have a wingspan of about 12 inches. Cedar waxwings have a reddish-brown body with a black mask and crest. Their diet consists mostly of fruit, but they will also eat insects, nectar, and sap.
One of their favorite fruits to eat is the hawthorn berry. Cedar waxwings can be found in open woodlands, forests, and orchards. They migrate south for the winter to areas such as Florida, Texas, and California.
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Gray Catbird

Gray Catbirds are common across most of the eastern United States. The Gray Catbird has a wide range, extending from central Alaska to southern Texas and Florida. They prefer habitats with dense understory, such as woods and thickets. They are also common in suburbs and urban areas.
Gray Catbirds eat mainly insects and fruit. Their diet includes caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, spiders, snails and fruit from a variety of plants. Hawthorn Berries are a favorite food item; the birds will consume the berries from early summer through fall.
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Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal is a beautiful bird that can be found in many parts of the United States. Cardinals are attracted to Hawthorn berries, and will often eat them from the tree or from the ground. The berries are high in antioxidants and other nutrients, which make them a healthy snack for cardinals.
Cardinals also enjoy eating insects, seeds, and other fruits and berries. They live in a variety of habitats, including forests, marshes, and gardens. Cardinals are monogamous birds, and the male and female typically stay together year-round.
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Northern Mockingbird

The Northern Mockingbird is a common bird found in North America. The bird ranges from southern Canada to Central America. In the United States, the mockingbird can be found in most of the eastern and central states, as well as California and parts of Arizona. The mockingbird’s preferred habitat is open areas such as fields, parks, and yards.
The diet of the Northern Mockingbird consists mainly of insects, but the birds will also eat fruit, seeds, and berries. One of the favorite foods of the Northern Mockingbird is Hawthorn Berries.
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Purple Finch

The purple finch is a small North American songbird. They are between 5 and 6 inches in length and have a wingspan of about 10 inches. The purple finch’s range extends from central Alaska to Newfoundland and south to New Mexico and Florida. They inhabit open woodlands, brushy areas, and suburban gardens.
The diet of the purple finch consists mainly of seeds, but they will also eat insects, berries, and nectar. Hawthorn berries are a favorite food source for purple finches.
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Fox Sparrow

The Fox Sparrow is a North American bird species. It ranges from southern Alaska to central California, and east to the Great Plains. The Fox Sparrow inhabits open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, and riverbanks. In winter, it may also be found in suburban gardens and parks.
The diet of the Fox Sparrow consists mainly of seeds, but they will also eat insects, fruit, and berries. Hawthorn berries are a favorite food of the Fox Sparrow; they are high in antioxidants and other nutrients that are beneficial to the bird’s health.
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Wild Turkey

Wild turkeys are a common sight in the United States. They live in forested areas and eat a variety of things, including insects, acorns, and hawthorn berries. The birds have a large range, stretching from the East Coast to the West Coast and from northern Canada to Mexico. They prefer habitats with plenty of trees and brush for cover, and they typically live in small flocks. Wild turkeys are omnivores, meaning that they eat both plants and animals.
In the fall, they often feed on acorns; in the winter, they eat buds, twigs, and insects; and in the summer, they feast on fruits, berries, and seeds. One of their favorite foods is hawthorn berry. These berries are tart but nutritious, and wild turkeys will travel long distances to find them.
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Ruffed Grouse
The Ruffed Grouse, is a game bird that is found in forested areas of North America. The Ruffed Grouse has a large range that covers most of Canada and the United States. The Ruffed Grouse inhabits a variety of habitats, including coniferous forests, mixed forests, and deciduous forests.
The Ruffed Grouse feeds on a variety of food items, including insects, berries, seeds, and nuts. The Ruffed Grouse is especially fond of Hawthorn berries and will eat these berries whenever they can find them.
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