Nunavut · Shrub

Bearberry for birds in Nunavut

Low evergreen with winter-persistent red fruit. Native to Nunavut, where it feeds or shelters 6 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Native status
Native in Nunavut
Hardiness zones
Canada 0a
What birds get from it
fruit and berries
Nunavut birds supported
6
Nesting birds among them
5

Growing conditions in Nunavut

Arctic tundra across the mainland and Arctic Archipelago.

A few weeks of summer thaw when tundra birds nest.

Nunavut birds that use Bearberry

Year-round residents (2)

Canada Jay, Pine Grosbeak

Winter visitors (1)

Bohemian Waxwing

Polar night and severe cold for months.

Nesting season it supports in Nunavut

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

  • American Robin — May–July
  • Canada Jay — April
  • Hermit Thrush — June–July
  • Pine Grosbeak — June–July
  • Palm Warbler — June–July

Native plants to pair with Bearberry in Nunavut

Prunus pensylvanica · Tree

Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Cornus sericea · Shrub

White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.

Viburnum trilobum · Shrub

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

Empetrum nigrum · Shrub

Arctic berry that survives under snow into spring.

Picea glauca · Tree

Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.

Frequently asked

Is Bearberry native to Nunavut?

Yes. Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is recorded as native in Nunavut. Nunavut spans Canada 0a.

What birds does Bearberry attract in Nunavut?

In Nunavut, Bearberry supports 6 backyard birds, including American Robin, Canada Jay, Hermit Thrush, Pine Grosbeak, Palm Warbler, Bohemian Waxwing.

Does Bearberry help nesting birds in Nunavut?

5 of those birds nest in Nunavut: American Robin (May–July), Canada Jay (April), Hermit Thrush (June–July), Pine Grosbeak (June–July).

Which winter birds use Bearberry in Nunavut?

Winter visitors Bohemian Waxwing use it in Nunavut during the cold months.

Sources

  1. USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
  2. VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
  3. eBird region overview and bar charts — Nunavut
  4. Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
  5. 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.