Nova Scotia · Summer breeder

Scarlet Tanagers in Nova Scotia

When scarlet tanagers are present in Nova Scotia, when they nest, which native Nova Scotia plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canadian zones 5a–7a yard.

Cardinals and allies (Cardinalidae)Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivacea

Status in Nova Scotia: Summer breeder
Nesting window: June–July
Broods: 1 per season
Hardiness zones: Canadian zones 5a–7a (roughly USDA 4–6 equivalent)

When to expect scarlet tanagers in Nova Scotia

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

Maritime — cool summers, snowy but ocean-moderated winters, fog and wind along the coast.

Nesting in Nova Scotia

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

Cool summers delay nesting compared with inland regions at similar latitude.

Scarlet Tanagers don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as red-osier dogwood, highbush cranberry, balsam fir for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native Nova Scotia plants that attract scarlet tanagers

Of the regional native plants we track for Nova Scotia, these 8 provide food or cover scarlet tanagers use:

Red-osier dogwood

Cornus sericea · Shrub

Fruit and cover.

Highbush cranberry

Viburnum trilobum · Shrub

Winter-persistent red fruit.

Balsam fir

Abies balsamea · Tree

Seeds and wind shelter.

Northern bayberry

Morella pensylvanica · Shrub

Waxy winter berries.

Paper birch

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seeds and insects.

Serviceberry

Amelanchier arborea · Tree

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

Winterberry

Ilex verticillata · Shrub

Deciduous holly holding red fruit into mid-winter.

Staghorn sumac

Rhus typhina · Shrub

Fruit clusters persist all winter as emergency food.

Feeding scarlet tanagers through the Nova Scotia year

Top foods: Oranges and grape jelly (rarely, during migration).
In Nova Scotia'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 Nova Scotia year-round?

No. Scarlet Tanagers are summer breeders in Nova Scotia and leave for the winter.

When do scarlet tanagers nest in Nova Scotia?

Nesting in Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia?

Red-osier dogwood, Highbush cranberry, Balsam fir, Northern bayberry, Paper birch, Serviceberry, Winterberry, Staghorn sumac are native plants in Nova Scotia that provide food or cover for scarlet tanagers.

Other backyard birds in Nova Scotia

Northern Cardinal Eastern Bluebird Black-capped Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Blue Jay House Finch Purple Finch Ruby-throated Hummingbird Mourning Dove 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 Baltimore Oriole Rose-breasted Grosbeak Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Common Redpoll Gray Catbird Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Chimney Swift Yellow-rumped Warbler Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Canada Jay American Crow Common Raven Cooper's Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Barred Owl Great Horned Owl American Kestrel Mallard Great Blue Heron Belted Kingfisher Brown-headed Cowbird 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 Green Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk 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.