Chokecherry for birds in New Brunswick
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load. Native to New Brunswick, where it feeds or shelters 83 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Prunus virginiana
- Native status
- Native in New Brunswick
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 3a–5b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
- New Brunswick birds supported
- 83
- Nesting birds among them
- 82
Growing conditions in New Brunswick
Humid continental with Bay of Fundy and Gulf of St. Lawrence coastlines and extensive forest.
Mild summers.
New Brunswick birds that use Chokecherry
Year-round residents (27)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Purple Finch, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Canada Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pine Grosbeak, Hooded Merganser, Bald Eagle, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, American Three-toed Woodpecker
Summer breeders (55)
Eastern Bluebird, Purple Martin, House Wren, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, Chimney Swift, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Scarlet Tanager, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Gray Catbird, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler, Ovenbird, Orange-crowned Warbler, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Least Flycatcher, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Green Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Swamp Sparrow, Bobolink, Rusty Blackbird
Winter visitors (1)
Cold, snowy winters.
Nesting season it supports in New Brunswick
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Chokecherry:
- Northern Cardinal — May–August
- Eastern Bluebird — May–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- Purple Martin — June–July
- Downy Woodpecker — May–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — May–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — May–June
- House Wren — June–August
- Purple Finch — June–July
- American Robin — May–July
Native plants to pair with Chokecherry in New Brunswick
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Frequently asked
Is Chokecherry native to New Brunswick?
Yes. Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) is recorded as native in New Brunswick. New Brunswick spans Canada 3a–5b.
What birds does Chokecherry attract in New Brunswick?
In New Brunswick, Chokecherry supports 83 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does Chokecherry help nesting birds in New Brunswick?
82 of those birds nest in New Brunswick: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Eastern Bluebird (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Purple Martin (June–July).
Which winter birds use Chokecherry in New Brunswick?
Winter visitors Bohemian Waxwing use it in New Brunswick during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Brunswick
- 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.