We still have plenty of winterberry bursts along the roads and woods’ edges. That’s probably a good sign, indicating a low-stress winter so far. The berries and twigs are usually a food of last resort for most wildlife.
The berries are low in fat and protein and relatively high in carbohydrates. When they first appear, their taste is unpalatable – apparently an evolved trait to assure that they are available to wildlife late in the winter, when their taste improves and feeding conditions can get difficult. (Winterberry fruits generally are considered toxic or at least not healthy for humans, especially children.)
Many winter birds will eat the winterberry fruits and seeds when times are hard, as will raccoons and some smaller rodents. Rabbits, deer, and moose reportedly will eat winterberry plant twigs as a meal of last resort. (Image taken in Brooklin, Maine, on January 6, 2025.)