Newfoundland and Labrador · Summer breeder

Scarlet Tanagers in Newfoundland and Labrador

When scarlet tanagers are present in Newfoundland and Labrador, when they nest, which native Newfoundland and Labrador plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 0a–6b yard.

Cardinals and allies (Cardinalidae)Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivacea

Status in Newfoundland and Labrador: Summer breeder
Nesting window: June–July
Broods: 1 per season
Hardiness zones: Canada 0a–6b

When to expect scarlet tanagers in Newfoundland and Labrador

Scarlet Tanagers are summer residents in Newfoundland and Labrador, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent.

Cool maritime on the island of Newfoundland; subarctic in Labrador.

Nesting in Newfoundland and Labrador

Across Newfoundland and Labrador, scarlet tanagers typically nest from June–July. Plan around that window: May for setup, July for clean-out.

Cool summers; nesting often starts in June.

Scarlet Tanagers don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as winterberry, eastern white pine, paper birch for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native Newfoundland and Labrador plants that attract scarlet tanagers

Of the regional native plants we track for Newfoundland and Labrador, these 8 provide food or cover scarlet tanagers use:

Winterberry

Ilex verticillata · Shrub

Deciduous holly holding red fruit into mid-winter.

Eastern white pine

Pinus strobus · Tree

Seed-rich cones and year-round shelter.

Paper birch

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Red maple

Acer rubrum · Tree

Among the first spring bloomers; early insects for returning migrants.

Pin cherry

Prunus pensylvanica · Tree

Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Red-osier dogwood

Cornus sericea · Shrub

White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.

Highbush cranberry

Viburnum trilobum · Shrub

Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.

Feeding scarlet tanagers through the Newfoundland and Labrador year

Top foods: Oranges and grape jelly (rarely, during migration).
In Newfoundland and Labrador's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for scarlet tanagers · Best feeder for scarlet tanagers

Frequently asked

Are scarlet tanagers in Newfoundland and Labrador year-round?

No. Scarlet Tanagers are summer breeders in Newfoundland and Labrador and leave for the winter.

When do scarlet tanagers nest in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Nesting in Newfoundland and Labrador typically runs June–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.

What native plants attract scarlet tanagers in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Winterberry, Eastern white pine, Paper birch, Red maple, Pin cherry, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Highbush cranberry are native plants in Newfoundland and Labrador that provide food or cover for scarlet tanagers.

Other backyard birds in Newfoundland and Labrador

Black-capped Chickadee Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch Purple Finch American Robin Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Rose-breasted Grosbeak Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Common Redpoll Gray Catbird Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Yellow-rumped Warbler Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Canada Jay White-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Common Raven Sharp-shinned Hawk Barred Owl Great Horned Owl American Kestrel Mallard Great Blue Heron Belted Kingfisher Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Winter Wren Pine Grosbeak Red Crossbill Gray Catbird Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Black-and-white Warbler Ovenbird Orange-crowned Warbler Palm Warbler Red-eyed Vireo Warbling Vireo Eastern Wood-Pewee Least Flycatcher Cliff Swallow Bank Swallow Common Nighthawk Eastern Whip-poor-will Canada Goose American Coot Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper American Woodcock Osprey Bald Eagle Merlin Peregrine Falcon Northern Saw-whet Owl Black-backed Woodpecker American Three-toed Woodpecker Savannah Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Snow Bunting Horned Lark Common Redpoll Hoary Redpoll White-winged Crossbill Bohemian Waxwing Bobolink Rusty Blackbird Rock Pigeon

Sources

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.