18 Birds That Eat Mountain Ash Berries (Photos, & Info!)

Mountain ash berries are the bane of some homeowners. They grow quickly and drop their fruit with a satisfying ‘thud’ on unsuspecting pedestrians below.

But for birds, they’re a delicacy that can be hard to come by in winter. In this article, we will explore 18 Birds That Eat Mountain Ash Berries (With Photos, ID & Information about each one).

Birds That Eat Mountain Ash Berries

American Robin

The American Robin is a North American passerine bird. It is one of the most common and widespread birds in the United States. The American Robin ranges across most of North America, from central Alaska to southern Mexico and from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast.

The American Robin primarily inhabits coniferous forests, deciduous forests, and urban areas. These birds eat a variety of things, including insects, fruit, and seeds. In late summer and fall, they may also feed on berries from the American mountain ash tree.

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Baltimore Oriole

The Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula) is a migratory bird that is found in North America. This bird is a member of the blackbird family. The Baltimore oriole ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico. They are also found in the eastern United States and parts of Central America.

The Baltimore oriole inhabits open woodlands, parks, and gardens. Orioles are omnivores, and eat a variety of things including insects, fruits, and seeds. In particular, they love to eat the berries of the mountain ash tree.

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Brown Thrasher

The Brown Thrasher is a passerine bird that is found in the eastern United States. It has a range that extends from Maine to Florida, and west to Texas. The Brown Thrasher occupies a variety of habitats, including open woodlands, shrublands, and gardens.

These birds are omnivorous and eat a variety of insects, berries, seeds, and other plant material. In late summer and fall, they often feed on the fruit of the mountain ash tree.

Eastern Bluebird

Eastern bluebirds are a small North American bird that inhabits open woodlands, farmlands, and suburban areas. They eat mainly insects, but will also eat fruit, seeds, and small animals. The range of the eastern bluebird extends from central Alaska to Newfoundland and south to Florida and Texas. The birds build their nests in tree cavities, fence posts, or birdhouses.

Mountain ash berries are a favorite food of eastern bluebirds. The berries are high in sugar and are available from late summer through the early winter months. Eastern bluebirds can be seen perched on trees near mountain ash stands where they are feeding on the berries.

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Gray Catbird

Gray Catbirds are widespread in North America and can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, gardens, and open fields. They generally prefer to live in thickets or hedgerows, where they can find plenty of cover from predators.

Gray Catbirds are omnivorous and eat a variety of items from insects to fruit. In the summer, they will often feed on ripening berries, including those of the mountain ash tree.

Veery

The Veery (Catharus fuscescens) is a small thrush that breeds in eastern North America. The Veery’s range extends from southern Canada, west to Minnesota and south to Texas and Florida. This species inhabits deciduous and mixed forests, as well as woodlands near streams.

The Veery is a ground forager and eats insects, spiders, worms, fruits, and berries. In late summer and fall, the Veery feeds extensively on mountain ash berries (Sorbus americana).

Cedar Waxwing

The Cedar Waxwing is a migratory bird that can be found in North America, Central America, and South America. The Cedar Waxwing is known for its red wing markings, and its love of berries. The Cedar Waxwing’s range includes parts of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central America.

The Cedar Waxwing’s preferred habitat is open woodlands or forest edges. The Cedar Waxwing’s diet consists mostly of berries, but the bird will also eat insects and other small animals. In the winter, Cedar Waxwings often flock to areas where mountain ash berries are plentiful.

Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal is a beautiful bird that can be found in the eastern and central United States. This bird is a member of the finch family, and its diet consists mostly of seeds. However, the Northern Cardinal will also eat fruit, such as the berries of the mountain ash tree. The Northern Cardinal is a very adaptable bird, and it can be found in a variety of habitats, from forests to gardens.

Cardinals are most commonly seen in open areas where there are trees or shrubs for them to perch on. Northern Cardinals mate for life, and the male cardinal sings throughout the year to attract a mate. These birds typically have one brood per year, and the chicks are born with their eyes open and can fly within two weeks.

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Purple Finch

The purple finch is a small North American songbird. The breeding range of the purple finch extends from central Alaska across most of Canada to Newfoundland and south in the United States to California, Colorado, and northern New York. Outside the breeding season, they can be found from southern Canada through the United States to Central America.

Their habitats include woodlands, forests, parks, gardens, and agricultural areas. These birds are omnivorous and eat a variety of items in their diet such as insects, spiders, seeds, fruit, and nectar. In the late summer and fall, they often feed on the fruit of the mountain ash trees.

Dark-eyed Junco

The Dark-eyed Junco is a small sparrow that is found in North America. They are typically around 5-6.5 inches in length and have a wingspan of about 10 inches. They have a dark head, chest, and back with a white belly. The males and females look very similar, but the males are typically a little brighter.

Dark-eyed Juncos can be found in a variety of habitats including forests, parks, gardens, and even shrubby areas near roads. They eat mostly seeds, but will also eat insects and berries. In the winter, they often feed on the berries of mountain ash trees.

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Black-capped Chickadee

Black-capped Chickadees are found in the eastern half of the United States and Canada. They prefer mixed hardwood and conifer forests, but can also be found in open areas such as parks, suburbs, and agricultural land. These birds occupy a range of habitats during the year, from lowland deciduous forests in winter to spruce-fir forests at high elevations in summer.

Black-capped Chickadees eat mostly insects, but also consume seeds and fruit. In fall and winter they feed on the fruits of mountain ash, viburnum, and other trees. In spring they eat the buds of maple, willow, and other trees.

White-breasted Nuthatch

The White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) is a small passerine bird that is found in North America. The species ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and gardens.

The White-breasted Nuthatch is omnivorous, and feeds on insects, spiders, seeds, nuts, and fruit. In the winter months, the White-breasted Nuthatch often eats berries from the Mountain Ash tree.

Tufted Titmouse

The Tufted Titmouse is a small North American bird that is found in woodlands and open areas near trees. They eat a variety of foods, but their favorite food is the mountain ash berry. The Tufted Titmouse has a range of about 2,000 miles and can be found in the eastern and central United States as well as in parts of Canada.

They live in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, gardens, and parks. The Tufted Titmouse typically nests in tree cavities, but they will also use man-made nest boxes. These birds are monogamous and form long-term bonds with their mates.

Blue Jay

The blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a passerine bird that is native to North America and resides in North America from Southern Canada to Northern Mexico. Blue Jays are common in residential areas and can be seen in open habitats such as fields, parks, and gardens.

Blue Jays are omnivorous and eat a variety of foods including insects, fruits, seeds, and nuts. They particularly enjoy eating the berries of the mountain ash tree.

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Red-headed Woodpecker

The Red-headed Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker which is found in North America. They are usually around 9 inches in length and have a wingspan of around 16 inches. The males are easily identified by their bright red head, while the females are a bit more subtle with a light brown head.

These birds can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, parks, and even residential areas. They primarily eat insects and other small invertebrates, but will also eat fruit, nuts, and berries. In the late summer and early fall, they often feed on the berries of the mountain ash tree.

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White-throated Sparrow

The white-throated sparrow is a small North American songbird. It breeds in open woodlands and across the prairies of Canada and the northern United States. In winter, it migrates to the southeastern United States, Mexico, and Central America. This bird is easily identified by its white throat and white line running across its head.

The white-throated sparrow feeds on insects and seeds. It forages on the ground or in low vegetation, often picking up food items from the ground. The most important part of this bird’s diet is the fruit of the mountain ash tree.

Pine Grosbeak

The Pine Grosbeak is a medium-sized bird that is found in North America. They are usually around 9-10″ inches in length and have a wingspan of about 15″ inches. The Pine Grosbeak is a migratory bird and can be found in different parts of the United States and Canada during different times of the year.

They breed in the northern parts of the United States and Canada, and winter in the southern parts of the United States. The Pine Grosbeak’s diet consists mostly of seeds, but they will also eat insects and fruit, such as mountain ash berries.

Evening Grosbeak

Evening Grosbeaks are a type of finch that can be found in North America. They are typically around 9 inches in length and have a wingspan of around 14 inches. They eat mostly seeds, but will also eat insects, fruits, and berries. Evening Grosbeaks are found in open woodlands and fields, as well as near towns and cities.

They breed in the northern parts of North America, but can be found year-round in the southern parts of their range. Evening Grosbeaks love to eat the berries of the mountain ash tree.

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Vince S

Meet Vince, the passionate founder of Learn Bird Watching, boasting 30 years of birding experience. With an unwavering mission to empower fellow bird enthusiasts, Vince shares invaluable wisdom and guidance. Whether you're a budding birder or a seasoned avian aficionado, his wealth of knowledge is at your service. Reach out for expert insights and support at admin@learnbirdwatching.com, and embark on a rewarding journey in the world of birds.

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