Yukon · Shrub

Bearberry for birds in Yukon

Low evergreen with winter-persistent red fruit. Native to Yukon, where it feeds or shelters 15 backyard bird species.

Scientific name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Native status: Native in Yukon
Hardiness zones: Canada 0a–1b
What birds get from it: fruit and berries
Yukon birds supported: 15
Nesting birds among them: 15

Growing conditions in Yukon

Subarctic continental with mountains, boreal forest and Arctic tundra in the north.

Short summers with nearly 24-hour daylight.

Yukon birds that use Bearberry

Year-round residents (2)

Canada Jay, Pine Grosbeak

Summer breeders (13)

American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Varied Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Western Tanager, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Bohemian Waxwing

Nesting season it supports in Yukon

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
White-throated Sparrow — June–July
Northern Flicker — May–June
Cedar Waxwing — July–August
Yellow-rumped Warbler — June–July
Canada Jay — April
Mountain Bluebird — June–July
Fox Sparrow — June–July
Varied Thrush — June–July
Hermit Thrush — June–July

Native plants to pair with Bearberry in Yukon

Pin cherry

Prunus pensylvanica · Tree

Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Red-osier dogwood

Cornus sericea · Shrub

White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.

Highbush cranberry

Viburnum trilobum · Shrub

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

Western serviceberry

Amelanchier alnifolia · Shrub

Saskatoon berries ripen in early summer.

Crowberry

Empetrum nigrum · Shrub

Arctic berry that survives under snow into spring.

Frequently asked

Is Bearberry native to Yukon?

Yes. Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is recorded as native in Yukon. Yukon spans Canada 0a–1b.

What birds does Bearberry attract in Yukon?

In Yukon, Bearberry supports 15 backyard birds, including American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canada Jay.

Does Bearberry help nesting birds in Yukon?

15 of those birds nest in Yukon: American Robin (May–July), White-throated Sparrow (June–July), Northern Flicker (May–June), Cedar Waxwing (July–August).

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.