Perch Supply
New York · Tree

Serviceberry for birds in New York

Early-summer berries. Native to New York, where it feeds or shelters 4 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Amelanchier canadensis
Native status
Native in New York
Hardiness zones
USDA 3b–7b
What birds get from it
Food and cover
New York birds supported
4
Nesting birds among them
4

Growing conditions in New York

Humid continental, from cold Adirondack highlands to the maritime-moderated coast of Long Island.

Warm summers with a shorter nesting season upstate than downstate.

New York birds that use Serviceberry

Year-round residents (3)

Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Purple Finch

Summer breeders (1)

Eastern Bluebird

Nesting season it supports in New York

Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Serviceberry:

  • Northern Cardinal — April–August
  • Eastern Bluebird — April–August
  • House Finch — April–August
  • Purple Finch — May–July

Native plants to pair with Serviceberry in New York

Winterberry
Ilex verticillata · Shrub

Winter fruit.

Arrowwood viburnum
Viburnum dentatum · Shrub

Blue-black fall fruit and insect cover.

Flowering dogwood
Cornus florida · Tree

Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.

Eastern red cedar
Juniperus virginiana · Tree

Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.

Serviceberry
Amelanchier arborea · Tree

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

Staghorn sumac
Rhus typhina · Shrub

Fruit clusters persist all winter as emergency food.

Frequently asked

Is Serviceberry native to New York?

Yes. Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) is recorded as native in New York. New York spans USDA 3b–7b.

What birds does Serviceberry attract in New York?

In New York, Serviceberry supports 4 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch.

Does Serviceberry help nesting birds in New York?

4 of those birds nest in New York: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), House Finch (April–August), Purple Finch (May–July).

Sources

  1. USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
  2. VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
  3. eBird region overview and bar charts — New York
  4. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  5. Audubon Native Plants Database
  6. New York Breeding Bird Atlas III

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.