Little bluestem for birds in New Brunswick
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos. Native to New Brunswick, where it feeds or shelters 35 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Schizachyrium scoparium
- Native status
- Native in New Brunswick
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 3a–5b
- What birds get from it
- seed
- New Brunswick birds supported
- 35
- Nesting birds among them
- 30
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 Little bluestem
Year-round residents (14)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Mallard, Brown-headed Cowbird, Canada Goose, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (16)
American Goldfinch, Mourning Dove, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Horned Lark, Bobolink, Rusty Blackbird
Winter visitors (5)
Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll
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 Little bluestem:
- Northern Cardinal — May–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- American Goldfinch — August–September
- Purple Finch — June–July
- Mourning Dove — April–September
- Dark-eyed Junco — June–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Song Sparrow — May–August
- Chipping Sparrow — May–July
- Common Grackle — May–June
Native plants to pair with Little bluestem in New Brunswick
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Frequently asked
Is Little bluestem native to New Brunswick?
Yes. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is recorded as native in New Brunswick. New Brunswick spans Canada 3a–5b.
What birds does Little bluestem attract in New Brunswick?
In New Brunswick, Little bluestem supports 35 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco.
Does Little bluestem help nesting birds in New Brunswick?
30 of those birds nest in New Brunswick: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), American Goldfinch (August–September), Purple Finch (June–July).
Which winter birds use Little bluestem in New Brunswick?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll 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.