Perch Supply
Newfoundland and Labrador · Tree

Black spruce for birds in Newfoundland and Labrador

Persistent cones in boreal bogs. Native to Newfoundland and Labrador, where it feeds or shelters 15 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Picea mariana
Native status
Native in Newfoundland and Labrador
Hardiness zones
Canada 0a–6b
What birds get from it
conifer seed and cover
Newfoundland and Labrador birds supported
15
Nesting birds among them
15

Growing conditions in Newfoundland and Labrador

Cool maritime on the island of Newfoundland; subarctic in Labrador.

Cool summers; nesting often starts in June.

Newfoundland and Labrador birds that use Black spruce

Nesting season it supports in Newfoundland and Labrador

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
  • Common Redpoll — July
  • Canada Jay — April
  • Ruby-crowned Kinglet — June–July
  • Golden-crowned Kinglet — June–July
  • Pine Grosbeak — June–July
  • Red Crossbill — February–December

Native plants to pair with Black spruce in Newfoundland and Labrador

Eastern white pine
Pinus strobus · Tree

Seed-rich cones and year-round shelter.

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.

Red maple
Acer rubrum · Tree

Among the first spring bloomers; early insects for returning migrants.

Frequently asked

Is Black spruce native to Newfoundland and Labrador?

Yes. Black spruce (Picea mariana) is recorded as native in Newfoundland and Labrador. Newfoundland and Labrador spans Canada 0a–6b.

What birds does Black spruce attract in Newfoundland and Labrador?

In Newfoundland and Labrador, Black spruce supports 15 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, Canada Jay.

Does Black spruce help nesting birds in Newfoundland and Labrador?

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

Sources

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