Migratory Birds Taste Test Results : Sassafras, Autumn Olive, Devil’s Walking Stick & Fox Grapes Preferred

The Center for Conservation Biology (William & Mary, VCU) has released a report entitled “Fruit Availability and Consumer Demand within a Major Migration Stopover Area: The Lower Delmarva Peninsula”. The report found that there were several species of fruits that migratory birds preferred. These were Sassafras, autumn olive, devil’s walking stick and fox grapes. The autumn olive is invasive and not recommended for propagation for conservation purposes. Fruits of middling interest include pokeweed, Chinese privet, Frost grapes, Virginia creeper and beautyberry.

The birds also indicated they don’t care much for bayberry, hackberry or American holly so leave them off the menu.