Relationships of
Vertebrate Animals
to this Plant:
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Sassafras albidum (Sassafras) [Lauraceae]
(observations are from Martin et al., Schorger, Sotala & Kirkpatrick, Haugen, DeGraaf, Johnson et al., Ford et al., Belthoff & Ritchison, DeVore et al., and Beal)
Birds
Columbidae: Ectopistes migratorius (Passenger Pigeon) [fruits occasionally used as a source of food] Sch1955; Emberizidae: Pipilo erythrophthalmus (Eastern Towhee) [feeds on the fruits] DGr2002; Mimidae: Dumetella carolinensis (Catbird) [fruits comprise 2-5% of the diet in NE USA during summer & fall, feeds on the fruits as a preferred source of food] MZN1951 DGr2002, Mimus polyglottos (Northern Mockingbird) [fruits comprise 0.5-2% of the diet in SE USA, feeds on the fruits] MZN1951 DGr2002, Toxostoma rufum (Brown Thrasher) [fruits comprise 0.5-2% of the diet in NE USA, feeds on the fruits] MZN1951 DGr2002; Odontophoridae: Colinus virginianus (Bobwhite Quail) [fruits comprise 0.5-2% of the diet in the Northeast, feeds on the fruits as a preferred source of food] MZN1951 DGr2002; Parulidae: Geothlypis trichas (Common Yellowthroat) [feeds on the fruits] DGr2002, Setophaga dominica (Yellow-throated Warbler) [feeds on the fruits] DGr2002; Phasianidae: Meleagris gallopavo (Wild Turkey) [fruits comprise 0.5-2% of the diet in Pennsylvania, feeds on the fruits as a preferred source of food] MZN1951 DGr2002; Picidae: Colaptes auratus (Northern Flicker) [feeds on the fruits] DGr2002, Dryocopus pileatus (Pileated Woodpecker) [fruits comprise 2-5% of the diet in the East during summer, feeds on the fruits as a preferred source of food, feeds on the fruits] MZN1951 DGr2002 Dv2004, Sphyrapicus varius (Yellow-bellied Sapsucker) [fruits comprise 0.5-2% of the diet in the East, feeds on the sap of this tree] MZN1951 DGr2002; Strigidae: Megascops asio (Eastern Screech Owl) [this tree provided 1.4% of the roost sites for young owls in Kentucky & it had below-average preference for this purpose] BR1990; Turdidae: Catharus fuscescens (Veery) [feeds on the fruits] DGr2002, Catharus guttatus (Hermit Thrush) [fruits comprise 0.5-2% of the diet in E USA, feeds on the fruits, 0.4% of bird stomachs contained fruits from this tree] MZN1951 DGr2002 Be1915b, Catharus minimus (Grey-cheeked Thrush) [fruits comprise 0.5-2% of the diet in NE USA, feeds on the fruits] MZN1951 DGr2002, Catharus ustulatus (Swainson's Thrush) [fruits comprise 0.5-2% of the diet in NE USA, feeds on the fruits] MZN1951 DGr2002, Sialia sialis (Eastern Bluebird) [feeds on the fruits as a preferred source of food] DGr2002, Turdus migratorius (American Robin) [feeds on the fruits as a preferred source of food, the fruits are eaten rarely] DGr2002 Be1915; Tyrannidae: Myiarchus crinitus (Great Crested Flycatcher) [fruits comprise 2-5% of the diet in Eastern USA during summer & fall, the fruits are preferred as a source of food] MZN1951 DGr2002, Sayornis phoebe (Eastern Phoebe) [fruits comprise 0.5-2% of the diet in eastern USA, feeds on the fruits] MZN1951 DGr2002, Tyrannus tyrannus (Eastern Kingbird) [fruits comprise 2-5% of the diet in eastern USA during summer & fall, the fruits are a preferred source of food, feeds on the fruits] MZN1951 DGr2002 Dv2004; Vireonidae: Vireo gilvus (Warbling Vireo) [feeds on the fruits] DGr2002, Vireo griseus (White-eyed Vireo) [fruits comprise 0.5-2% of the diet in SE USA, feeds on the fruits] MZN1951 DGr2002, Vireo olivaceus (Red-eyed Vireo) [fruits comprise 0.5-2% of the diet in eastern USA, feeds on the fruits as a preferred source of food, feeds on the fruits] MZN1951 DGr2002 Dv2004
Mammals
Cervidae: Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer) [the leaves & twigs have moderate importance as a food source, twigs comprise 0.5-2% of the diet in New York during winter] SK1973 MZN1951; Leporidae: Sylvilagus floridanus (Eastern Cottontail) [bark comprises 0.5-2% of the diet in Michigan during winter, the bark & twigs & buds of saplings are often used as a source of food in Michigan during winter] MZN1951 Hgn1942; Vespertilionidae: Myotis septentrionalis (Northern Long-eared Bat) [Sassafras provides 4.5–12% of the roost trees for maternal colonies in central Appalachia & this tree has above-average preference for this purpose, this tree provides 6% of the summer roost sites for male bats in West Virginia] Jhn2009 Frd2006