Buffaloberry for birds in Minnesota
Tart red fruit that persists into winter. Native to Minnesota, where it feeds or shelters 27 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Shepherdia argentea
- Native status
- Native in Minnesota
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–5b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Minnesota birds supported
- 27
- Nesting birds among them
- 25
Growing conditions in Minnesota
Continental, with very cold winters and warm summers; prairie in the west, boreal forest in the northeast.
A short, intense breeding season; most nesting runs May through July.
Minnesota birds that use Buffaloberry
Year-round residents (9)
Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Canada Jay
Summer breeders (16)
Eastern Bluebird, White-throated Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (2)
Temperatures below 0°F are routine — heated water, suet and roost boxes are survival aids, not extras.
Nesting season it supports in Minnesota
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Buffaloberry:
- Northern Cardinal — May–August
- Eastern Bluebird — May–August
- House Finch — April–August
- Purple Finch — May–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
Native plants to pair with Buffaloberry in Minnesota
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Frequently asked
Is Buffaloberry native to Minnesota?
Yes. Buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea) is recorded as native in Minnesota. Minnesota spans USDA 3a–5b.
What birds does Buffaloberry attract in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, Buffaloberry supports 27 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Buffaloberry help nesting birds in Minnesota?
25 of those birds nest in Minnesota: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Eastern Bluebird (May–August), House Finch (April–August), Purple Finch (May–July).
Which winter birds use Buffaloberry in Minnesota?
Winter visitors Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Minnesota during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Minnesota
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- 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.