Northwest Territories · Shrub

Dwarf birch for birds in Northwest Territories

Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra. Native to Northwest Territories, where it feeds or shelters 74 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Betula glandulosa
Native status
Native in Northwest Territories
Hardiness zones
Canada 0a–1a
What birds get from it
seed, insects for nestlings
Northwest Territories birds supported
74
Nesting birds among them
74

Growing conditions in Northwest Territories

Subarctic boreal forest in the south, Arctic tundra in the north.

Brief summers with midnight sun.

Northwest Territories birds that use Dwarf birch

Nesting season it supports in Northwest Territories

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

  • Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
  • Downy Woodpecker — May–June
  • Hairy Woodpecker — May–June
  • American Robin — May–July
  • Dark-eyed Junco — June–July
  • White-throated Sparrow — June–July
  • Song Sparrow — May–August
  • Chipping Sparrow — May–July
  • Northern Flicker — May–June
  • Pileated Woodpecker — May–June

Native plants to pair with Dwarf birch in Northwest Territories

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Salix bebbiana · Shrub

Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Abies balsamea · Tree

Spruce-budworm habitat and dense winter roosting cover.

Picea glauca · Tree

Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.

Larix laricina · Tree

Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.

Frequently asked

Is Dwarf birch native to Northwest Territories?

Yes. Dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa) is recorded as native in Northwest Territories. Northwest Territories spans Canada 0a–1a.

What birds does Dwarf birch attract in Northwest Territories?

In Northwest Territories, Dwarf birch supports 74 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, American Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow.

Does Dwarf birch help nesting birds in Northwest Territories?

74 of those birds nest in Northwest Territories: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Downy Woodpecker (May–June), Hairy Woodpecker (May–June), American Robin (May–July).

Sources

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