Nunavut · Tree

Paper birch for birds in Nunavut

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter. Native to Nunavut, where it feeds or shelters 29 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Betula papyrifera
Native status
Native in Nunavut
Hardiness zones
Canada 0a
What birds get from it
seed, insects for nestlings
Nunavut birds supported
29
Nesting birds among them
29

Growing conditions in Nunavut

Arctic tundra across the mainland and Arctic Archipelago.

A few weeks of summer thaw when tundra birds nest.

Nunavut birds that use Paper birch

Nesting season it supports in Nunavut

Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Paper birch:

  • American Robin — May–July
  • Dark-eyed Junco — June–July
  • Common Redpoll — July
  • American Tree Sparrow — July
  • White-crowned Sparrow — June–July
  • Common Raven — March–May
  • Mallard — April–June
  • Belted Kingfisher — April–June
  • Ruby-crowned Kinglet — June–July
  • Golden-crowned Kinglet — June–July

Native plants to pair with Paper birch in Nunavut

Salix bebbiana · Shrub

Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.

Betula glandulosa · Shrub

Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.

Picea glauca · Tree

Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.

Larix laricina · Tree

Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Chamaenerion angustifolium · Perennial

Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.

Frequently asked

Is Paper birch native to Nunavut?

Yes. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera) is recorded as native in Nunavut. Nunavut spans Canada 0a.

What birds does Paper birch attract in Nunavut?

In Nunavut, Paper birch supports 29 backyard birds, including American Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Common Raven.

Does Paper birch help nesting birds in Nunavut?

29 of those birds nest in Nunavut: American Robin (May–July), Dark-eyed Junco (June–July), Common Redpoll (July), American Tree Sparrow (July).

Sources

  1. USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
  2. VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
  3. eBird region overview and bar charts — Nunavut
  4. Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
  5. 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.