New Brunswick · Summer breeder

American Woodcocks in New Brunswick

When American are present in New Brunswick, when they nest, which native New Brunswick plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 3a–5b yard.

Sandpipers (Scolopacidae)American WoodcockScolopax minor
Status in New Brunswick
Summer breeder
Nesting window
April–June
Broods
1 per season
Hardiness zones
Canada 3a–5b

When to expect American in New Brunswick

American Woodcocks are summer residents in New Brunswick, arriving shortly before nesting begins in April and leaving after the young are independent.

Humid continental with Bay of Fundy and Gulf of St. Lawrence coastlines and extensive forest.

Nesting in New Brunswick

Across New Brunswick, American typically nest from April–June. Plan around that window: March for setup, June for clean-out.

Mild summers.

  • American Woodcocks don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as serviceberry, bur oak, black cherry for nest sites.
  • Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after June.

Native New Brunswick plants that attract American

Of the regional native plants we track for New Brunswick, these 8 provide food or cover American use:

Serviceberry
Amelanchier arborea · Tree

Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.

Bur oak
Quercus macrocarpa · Tree

Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.

Black cherry
Prunus serotina · Tree

Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.

American elderberry
Sambucus canadensis · Shrub

Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.

Arrowwood viburnum
Viburnum dentatum · Shrub

Blue-black fall fruit and dense nesting cover.

New England aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae · Perennial

Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.

Tall goldenrod
Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Eastern white pine
Pinus strobus · Tree

Seed-rich cones and year-round shelter.

Feeding American through the New Brunswick year

  • Top foods: None — damp thickets with soft soil are the habitat.
  • In New Brunswick's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for American · Best feeder for American

Frequently asked

Are American in New Brunswick year-round?

No. American Woodcocks are summer breeders in New Brunswick and leave for the winter.

When do American nest in New Brunswick?

Nesting in New Brunswick typically runs April–June, with 1 per season. Clutches are 1–5 eggs, incubated for 19–22 days.

What native plants attract American in New Brunswick?

Serviceberry, Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, Arrowwood viburnum, New England aster, Tall goldenrod, Eastern white pine are native plants in New Brunswick that provide food or cover for American.

American Woodcocks in other regions

Other backyard birds in New Brunswick

Northern CardinalEastern BluebirdBlack-capped ChickadeePurple MartinDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerAmerican GoldfinchWhite-breasted NuthatchHouse WrenPurple FinchRuby-throated HummingbirdMourning DoveAmerican RobinDark-eyed JuncoWhite-throated SparrowSong SparrowChipping SparrowNorthern FlickerPileated WoodpeckerYellow-bellied SapsuckerRed-breasted NuthatchBrown CreeperCommon GrackleRed-winged BlackbirdBaltimore OrioleRose-breasted GrosbeakEvening GrosbeakPine SiskinCommon RedpollIndigo BuntingGray CatbirdCedar WaxwingTree SwallowBarn SwallowEastern PhoebeChimney SwiftYellow-rumped WarblerGreat Crested FlycatcherEastern KingbirdAmerican Tree SparrowHouse SparrowEuropean StarlingCanada JayAmerican CrowCommon RavenCooper's HawkSharp-shinned HawkRed-tailed HawkBarred OwlGreat Horned OwlAmerican KestrelWood DuckWild TurkeyMallardGreat Blue HeronBelted KingfisherScarlet TanagerBrown-headed CowbirdRuby-crowned KingletGolden-crowned KingletHermit ThrushWinter WrenPine GrosbeakRed CrossbillGray CatbirdHooded MerganserYellow WarblerCommon YellowthroatAmerican RedstartBlack-and-white WarblerOvenbirdOrange-crowned WarblerPalm WarblerRed-eyed VireoWarbling VireoEastern Wood-PeweeLeast FlycatcherCliff SwallowNorthern Rough-winged SwallowBank SwallowCommon NighthawkEastern Whip-poor-willCanada GooseAmerican CootKilldeerSpotted SandpiperGreen HeronTurkey VultureOspreyBald EagleRed-shouldered HawkMerlinPeregrine FalconNorthern Saw-whet OwlBlack-backed WoodpeckerAmerican Three-toed WoodpeckerSavannah SparrowSwamp SparrowVesper SparrowSnow BuntingHorned LarkCommon RedpollHoary RedpollWhite-winged CrossbillBohemian WaxwingBobolinkRusty BlackbirdRock Pigeon

Sources

  1. American Woodcock — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. American Woodcock life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. American Woodcock — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — New Brunswick
  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.