Serviceberry for birds in Pennsylvania
Early-summer berries. Native to Pennsylvania, where it feeds or shelters 4 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Amelanchier canadensis
- Native status
- Native in Pennsylvania
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5a–7b
- What birds get from it
- Food and cover
- Pennsylvania birds supported
- 4
- Nesting birds among them
- 4
Growing conditions in Pennsylvania
Humid continental; cold, snowy winters in the north and mountains, milder in the southeast.
Warm summers; bluebirds typically raise two broods.
Pennsylvania birds that use Serviceberry
Year-round residents (4)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch
Nesting season it supports in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Frequently asked
Is Serviceberry native to Pennsylvania?
Yes. Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) is recorded as native in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania spans USDA 5a–7b.
What birds does Serviceberry attract in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, Serviceberry supports 4 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch.
Does Serviceberry help nesting birds in Pennsylvania?
4 of those birds nest in Pennsylvania: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), House Finch (April–August), Purple Finch (May–July).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Pennsylvania
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- 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.