Northwest Territories · Summer breeder

American Redstarts in Northwest Territories

When American redstarts are present in Northwest Territories, when they nest, which native Northwest Territories plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 0a–1a yard.

Wood-warblers (Parulidae)American RedstartSetophaga ruticilla
Status in Northwest Territories
Summer breeder
Nesting window
June–July
Broods
1–2 per season
Hardiness zones
Canada 0a–1a

When to expect American redstarts in Northwest Territories

American Redstarts are summer residents in Northwest Territories, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent.

Subarctic boreal forest in the south, Arctic tundra in the north.

Nesting in Northwest Territories

Across Northwest Territories, American redstarts typically nest from June–July. Plan around that window: May for setup, July for clean-out.

Brief summers with midnight sun.

  • American Redstarts don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, chokecherry, balsam fir for nest sites.
  • Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native Northwest Territories plants that attract American redstarts

Of the regional native plants we track for Northwest Territories, these 7 provide food or cover American redstarts use:

Paper birch
Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Balsam fir
Abies balsamea · Tree

Spruce-budworm habitat and dense winter roosting cover.

White spruce
Picea glauca · Tree

Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.

Tamarack
Larix laricina · Tree

Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.

Willow (Bebb)
Salix bebbiana · Shrub

Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.

Dwarf birch
Betula glandulosa · Shrub

Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.

Feeding American redstarts through the Northwest Territories year

  • Top foods: None — mature deciduous trees are the draw.
  • In Northwest Territories's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for American redstarts · Best feeder for American redstarts

Frequently asked

Are American redstarts in Northwest Territories year-round?

No. American Redstarts are summer breeders in Northwest Territories and leave for the winter.

When do American redstarts nest in Northwest Territories?

Nesting in Northwest Territories typically runs June–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 1–5 eggs, incubated for 10–13 days.

What native plants attract American redstarts in Northwest Territories?

Paper birch, Chokecherry, Balsam fir, White spruce, Tamarack, Willow (Bebb), Dwarf birch are native plants in Northwest Territories that provide food or cover for American redstarts.

American Redstarts in other regions

Other backyard birds in Northwest Territories

Sources

  1. American Redstart — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. American Redstart life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. American Redstart — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — Northwest Territories
  5. Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
  6. Audubon Native Plants Database

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.