Varied Thrushs in Northwest Territories
When varied thrushes 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.
- Status in Northwest Territories
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 0a–1a
When to expect varied thrushes in Northwest Territories
Varied Thrushs are summer residents in Northwest Territories, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on insects and earthworms.
Subarctic boreal forest in the south, Arctic tundra in the north.
Nesting in Northwest Territories
Across Northwest Territories, varied thrushes typically nest from June–July. Nest site: cup against conifer trunks. Females lay 1–6 eggs, incubate for 12 days, and young leave the nest after 13–15 days.
Brief summers with midnight sun.
- Varied Thrushs don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as pin cherry, chokecherry, red-osier dogwood for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Northwest Territories plants that attract varied thrushes
Of the regional native plants we track for Northwest Territories, these 7 provide food or cover varied thrushes use:
Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.
Saskatoon berries ripen in early summer.
Low evergreen with winter-persistent red fruit.
Arctic berry that survives under snow into spring.
Feeding varied thrushes through the Northwest Territories year
Drops into Pacific Northwest yards in snowy weather and feeds under shrubs.
- Best foods: Millet, Suet, Fruit.
- In Northwest Territories's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for varied thrushes · Best feeder for varied thrushes
Frequently asked
Are varied thrushes in Northwest Territories year-round?
No. Varied Thrushs are summer breeders in Northwest Territories and leave for the winter.
When do varied thrushes nest in Northwest Territories?
Nesting in Northwest Territories typically runs June–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 1–6 eggs, incubated for 12 days.
What native plants attract varied thrushes in Northwest Territories?
Pin cherry, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Highbush cranberry, Western serviceberry, Bearberry, Crowberry are native plants in Northwest Territories that provide food or cover for varied thrushes.
Varied Thrushs in other regions
Other backyard birds in Northwest Territories
Sources
- Varied Thrush — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Varied Thrush life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Varied Thrush — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Northwest Territories
- 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.