Audubon® Native American Filbert

You may think that American Filbert would be a fine bird-attracting plant by virtue of its tasty nuts. And you would not be wrong—Blue Jays, woodpeckers, bobwhites, pheasants, Ruffed Grouse and turkeys do love them. But for songbirds, American Filbert offers something even better—in the form of caterpillars! According to entomologist and nature writer Douglas Tallamy, no food is more valuable to songbirds and their rapidly growing chicks than caterpillars, and American Filbert, he says, supplies around 130 species of them. Filberts, with their thickety growth habit, also provide protection from predators while the birds are foraging. A bird bonanza!

Native throughout the Midwest, Northeast, and Upper Southeast, American Filbert, a.k.a. American Hazelnut, is a common sight in much of the East. It grows in moist prairies and along streams, as well as on drier hillside sites and at the edge of woodlands. Throughout history, people have relished the nuts—when they can get to them before the birds and squirrels do! This nifty native has had a variety of other roles for humans, too. The Ojibwe once used the straight-growing branches as drumsticks. The wood has also been turned into charcoal for artists’ pencils.

Among the many caterpillars that American Filbert hosts are several large moth species that are truly spectacular, such as the Luna, Polyphemus, Cecropia, and Io moths. If they don’t end up as bird food, they make amazing backyard visitors.

Audubon is devoted to protecting birds and the places they need, while Bower & Branch is devoted to the growth of true native trees and plants–no cultivars or hybrids. Together, we strive to unite communities in conservation and inspire individuals to cultivate a better world for birds starting in their own backyards, balconies, or patios. By guiding and recommending trees and plants truly native and beneficial to your region, we can really start to make a difference.

What is the definition of Native?

“In the United States, a native plant is defined as one that was naturally found in a particular area before European colonization. Native plants are the foundation of a region’s biodiversity, providing essential food sources and shelter for birds, especially those threatened by the changing climate. Since native plants are adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, they generally require less upkeep, therefore helping the environment and saving you time, water, and money.” – The National Audubon Society

Learn how you can help birds in your home and community through Audubon’s Plants for Birds program.

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