Highbush cranberry for birds in Prince Edward Island
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone. Native to Prince Edward Island, where it feeds or shelters 19 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Viburnum trilobum
- Native status
- Native in Prince Edward Island
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 4b–5b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Prince Edward Island birds supported
- 19
- Nesting birds among them
- 18
Growing conditions in Prince Edward Island
Humid continental moderated by the Gulf of St. Lawrence; mostly farmland and mixed woods.
Mild summers.
Prince Edward Island birds that use Highbush cranberry
Year-round residents (5)
Purple Finch, Pileated Woodpecker, European Starling, Canada Jay, Pine Grosbeak
Summer breeders (13)
American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo
Winter visitors (1)
Snowy winters with sea ice offshore.
Nesting season it supports in Prince Edward Island
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Highbush cranberry:
- Purple Finch — June–July
- American Robin — May–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Northern Flicker — May–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — May–June
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — June–July
- Gray Catbird — June–July
- Cedar Waxwing — July–August
- Yellow-rumped Warbler — June–July
- Eastern Kingbird — June–July
Native plants to pair with Highbush cranberry in Prince Edward Island
Waxy fruit carries Yellow-rumped Warblers through coastal winters.
Frequently asked
Is Highbush cranberry native to Prince Edward Island?
Yes. Highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) is recorded as native in Prince Edward Island. Prince Edward Island spans Canada 4b–5b.
What birds does Highbush cranberry attract in Prince Edward Island?
In Prince Edward Island, Highbush cranberry supports 19 backyard birds, including Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Does Highbush cranberry help nesting birds in Prince Edward Island?
18 of those birds nest in Prince Edward Island: Purple Finch (June–July), American Robin (May–July), White-throated Sparrow (June–July), Northern Flicker (May–June).
Which winter birds use Highbush cranberry in Prince Edward Island?
Winter visitors Bohemian Waxwing use it in Prince Edward Island during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Prince Edward Island
- 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.