Buffaloberry for birds in Manitoba
Tart red fruit that persists into winter. Native to Manitoba, where it feeds or shelters 25 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Shepherdia argentea
- Native status
- Native in Manitoba
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–3b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Manitoba birds supported
- 25
- Nesting birds among them
- 25
Growing conditions in Manitoba
Continental, from prairie in the southwest to boreal forest and Hudson Bay tundra in the north.
Warm summers with a short, intense nesting season.
Manitoba birds that use Buffaloberry
Year-round residents (5)
Purple Finch, Pileated Woodpecker, European Starling, Canada Jay, Pine Grosbeak
Summer breeders (20)
Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Bohemian Waxwing
Nesting season it supports in Manitoba
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Buffaloberry:
- Eastern Bluebird — May–August
- Purple Finch — June–July
- American Robin — May–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Northern Flicker — May–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — May–June
- Baltimore Oriole — June–July
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — June–July
- Gray Catbird — June–July
- Brown Thrasher — May–July
Native plants to pair with Buffaloberry in Manitoba
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Frequently asked
Is Buffaloberry native to Manitoba?
Yes. Buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea) is recorded as native in Manitoba. Manitoba spans Canada 1a–3b.
What birds does Buffaloberry attract in Manitoba?
In Manitoba, Buffaloberry supports 25 backyard birds, including Eastern Bluebird, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker.
Does Buffaloberry help nesting birds in Manitoba?
25 of those birds nest in Manitoba: Eastern Bluebird (May–August), Purple Finch (June–July), American Robin (May–July), White-throated Sparrow (June–July).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Manitoba
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- 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.