Perch Supply
Alberta · Tree

Black spruce for birds in Alberta

Persistent cones in boreal bogs. Native to Alberta, where it feeds or shelters 18 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Picea mariana
Native status
Native in Alberta
Hardiness zones
Canada 2a–4b
What birds get from it
conifer seed and cover
Alberta birds supported
18
Nesting birds among them
16

Growing conditions in Alberta

Continental — prairie in the southeast, aspen parkland in the center, boreal forest in the north and the Rockies in the west.

Warm, sunny summers with long days.

Alberta birds that use Black spruce

Summer breeders (1)

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Winter visitors (2)

Common Redpoll, Common Redpoll

Cold winters broken by chinook thaws in the south.

Nesting season it supports in Alberta

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

  • Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
  • Red-breasted Nuthatch — June
  • Evening Grosbeak — July
  • Pine Siskin — May–June
  • Steller's Jay — May–June
  • Canada Jay — April
  • Mountain Chickadee — June–July
  • Ruby-crowned Kinglet — June–July
  • Golden-crowned Kinglet — June–July
  • Pine Grosbeak — June–July

Native plants to pair with Black spruce in Alberta

Rocky Mountain juniper
Juniperus scopulorum · Tree

Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.

Douglas fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii · Tree

Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees.

Balsam fir
Abies balsamea · Tree

Spruce-budworm habitat and dense winter roosting cover.

White spruce
Picea glauca · Tree

Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.

Tamarack
Larix laricina · Tree

Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.

Paper birch
Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Frequently asked

Is Black spruce native to Alberta?

Yes. Black spruce (Picea mariana) is recorded as native in Alberta. Alberta spans Canada 2a–4b.

What birds does Black spruce attract in Alberta?

In Alberta, Black spruce supports 18 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, Steller's Jay.

Does Black spruce help nesting birds in Alberta?

16 of those birds nest in Alberta: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Red-breasted Nuthatch (June), Evening Grosbeak (July), Pine Siskin (May–June).

Which winter birds use Black spruce in Alberta?

Winter visitors Common Redpoll, Common Redpoll use it in Alberta during the cold months.

Sources

  1. USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
  2. VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
  3. eBird region overview and bar charts — Alberta
  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.