Oregon grape for birds in Alberta
Evergreen with yellow spring flowers and blue summer fruit. Native to Alberta, where it feeds or shelters 29 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Mahonia aquifolium
- Native status
- Native in Alberta
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 2a–4b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, nectar
- Alberta birds supported
- 29
- Nesting birds among them
- 29
Growing conditions in Alberta
Continental — prairie in the southeast, aspen parkland in the center, boreal forest in the north and the Rockies in the west.
Warm, sunny summers with long days.
Alberta birds that use Oregon grape
Year-round residents (5)
Purple Finch, Pileated Woodpecker, European Starling, Canada Jay, Pine Grosbeak
Summer breeders (24)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Varied Thrush, Bullock's Oriole, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Bohemian Waxwing
Nesting season it supports in Alberta
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Oregon grape:
- Purple Finch — June–July
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — June–August
- American Robin — May–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Northern Flicker — May–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — May–June
- Baltimore Oriole — June–July
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — June–July
- Gray Catbird — June–July
- Brown Thrasher — May–July
Native plants to pair with Oregon grape in Alberta
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.
Frequently asked
Is Oregon grape native to Alberta?
Yes. Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) is recorded as native in Alberta. Alberta spans Canada 2a–4b.
What birds does Oregon grape attract in Alberta?
In Alberta, Oregon grape supports 29 backyard birds, including Purple Finch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker.
Does Oregon grape help nesting birds in Alberta?
29 of those birds nest in Alberta: Purple Finch (June–July), Ruby-throated Hummingbird (June–August), American Robin (May–July), White-throated Sparrow (June–July).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Alberta
- 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.