New England aster for birds in New Brunswick
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows. Native to New Brunswick, where it feeds or shelters 102 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
- Native status
- Native in New Brunswick
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 3a–5b
- What birds get from it
- seed, insects for nestlings
- New Brunswick birds supported
- 102
- Nesting birds among them
- 97
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 New England aster
Year-round residents (34)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, European Starling, American Crow, Common Raven, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Mallard, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Brown-headed Cowbird, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hooded Merganser, Canada Goose, Bald Eagle, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (63)
Eastern Bluebird, Purple Martin, American Goldfinch, House Wren, Mourning Dove, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Common Grackle, 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, American Coot, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Green Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, 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 New England aster:
- 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
- American Goldfinch — August–September
- White-breasted Nuthatch — May–June
- House Wren — June–August
- Purple Finch — June–July
Native plants to pair with New England aster in New Brunswick
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Frequently asked
Is New England aster native to New Brunswick?
Yes. New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) is recorded as native in New Brunswick. New Brunswick spans Canada 3a–5b.
What birds does New England aster attract in New Brunswick?
In New Brunswick, New England aster supports 102 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does New England aster help nesting birds in New Brunswick?
97 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 New England aster 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.