Paper birch for birds in Manitoba
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter. Native to Manitoba, where it feeds or shelters 110 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Betula papyrifera
- Native status
- Native in Manitoba
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–3b
- What birds get from it
- seed, insects for nestlings
- Manitoba birds supported
- 110
- Nesting birds among them
- 104
Growing conditions in Manitoba
Continental, from prairie in the southwest to boreal forest and Hudson Bay tundra in the north.
Warm summers with a short, intense nesting season.
Manitoba birds that use Paper birch
Year-round residents (29)
Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Purple Finch, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, European Starling, Black-billed Magpie, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Common Raven, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, Mallard, Belted Kingfisher, Brown-headed Cowbird, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Canada Goose, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (75)
Eastern Bluebird, Purple Martin, American Goldfinch, House Wren, Mourning Dove, American Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, Chimney Swift, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Mountain Bluebird, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, American Kestrel, Wood Duck, Great Blue Heron, Scarlet Tanager, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Hooded Merganser, 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, Western Kingbird, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, American Coot, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Peregrine Falcon, Burrowing Owl, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Horned Lark, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird
Winter visitors (6)
Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll
Very cold winters to −30°F.
Nesting season it supports in Manitoba
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Paper birch:
- 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
- Mourning Dove — April–September
Native plants to pair with Paper birch in Manitoba
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Frequently asked
Is Paper birch native to Manitoba?
Yes. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera) is recorded as native in Manitoba. Manitoba spans Canada 1a–3b.
What birds does Paper birch attract in Manitoba?
In Manitoba, Paper birch supports 110 backyard birds, including Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch.
Does Paper birch help nesting birds in Manitoba?
104 of those birds nest in Manitoba: Eastern Bluebird (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Purple Martin (June–July), Downy Woodpecker (May–June).
Which winter birds use Paper birch in Manitoba?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in Manitoba during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Manitoba
- 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.