Keeping Common Birds Common

The Salix genus (commonly known as willows, sallows, and osiers) functions as a powerful ecological driver. In North America this genus ranks second only to oaks as the best host plant for moths and butterflies, supporting over 450 species of Lepidoptera in New York alone, and acting as a primary host plant for spectacular local species like the Viceroy and Mourning Cloak. This abundance of caterpillars is the single most critical protein resource for nesting birds to successfully raise their chicks.

In the spring, willows produce fuzzy catkins used by Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and various species of warblers to line and insulate their nests. Local songbirds, including Yellow Warblers, American Goldfinches, and Baltimore Orioles, frequently find the dense canopies of willow trees--whether the shrubby native North American kind or the taller, non-native weeping willow--an excellent environment to build their nests, hidden from the keen eyes of hawks and other predators. When food is scarce, the nutrient-rich buds and pollen-heavy catkins also provide direct sustenance for many birds. And finally, willows are also known for their soft wood, prone to splitting and cracking as the trees age. This attracts wood-boring beetles and ants, turning willow trunks into prime feeding stations for native woodpeckers, including Downy, Hairy, and Pileated.