Red-winged Blackbirds in New Brunswick
When red-winged blackbirds 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.
- Status in New Brunswick
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 2–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 3a–5b
When to expect red-winged blackbirds in New Brunswick
Red-winged Blackbirds are summer residents in New Brunswick, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on dragonflies, beetles and caterpillars.
Humid continental with Bay of Fundy and Gulf of St. Lawrence coastlines and extensive forest.
Nesting in New Brunswick
Across New Brunswick, red-winged blackbirds typically nest from May–July. Nest site: woven cup lashed to cattails or shrubs over water. Females lay 2–4 eggs, incubate for 11–13 days, and young leave the nest after 11–14 days.
Mild summers.
- Red-winged Blackbirds 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 July.
Native New Brunswick plants that attract red-winged blackbirds
Of the regional native plants we track for New Brunswick, these 8 provide food or cover red-winged blackbirds use:
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Blue-black fall fruit and dense nesting cover.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Feeding red-winged blackbirds through the New Brunswick year
One of the earliest spring returns in the north; males arrive weeks before females to claim marsh territories.
- Best foods: Cracked corn, Millet, Sunflower.
- In New Brunswick's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for red-winged blackbirds · Best feeder for red-winged blackbirds
Frequently asked
Are red-winged blackbirds in New Brunswick year-round?
No. Red-winged Blackbirds are summer breeders in New Brunswick and leave for the winter.
When do red-winged blackbirds nest in New Brunswick?
Nesting in New Brunswick typically runs May–July, with 2–3 per season. Clutches are 2–4 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days.
What native plants attract red-winged blackbirds in New Brunswick?
Serviceberry, Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, Arrowwood viburnum, Black-eyed Susan, New England aster, Little bluestem are native plants in New Brunswick that provide food or cover for red-winged blackbirds.
Red-winged Blackbirds in other regions
Other backyard birds in New Brunswick
Sources
- Red-winged Blackbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-winged Blackbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-winged Blackbird — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Brunswick
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- 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.