Paper birch for birds in Quebec
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter. Native to Quebec, where it feeds or shelters 112 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Betula papyrifera
- Native status
- Native in Quebec
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 0a–5b
- What birds get from it
- seed, insects for nestlings
- Quebec birds supported
- 112
- Nesting birds among them
- 106
Growing conditions in Quebec
Humid continental in the St. Lawrence valley, boreal forest to the north, tundra in Nunavik.
Warm, humid summers in the south.
Quebec birds that use Paper birch
Year-round residents (37)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Eastern Screech-Owl, 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 (69)
Eastern Bluebird, American Goldfinch, House Wren, 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, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, Chimney Swift, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Scarlet Tanager, Eastern Meadowlark, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Gray Catbird, Lark Sparrow, 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, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Horned Lark, Bobolink, Rusty Blackbird
Winter visitors (6)
Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll
Long, cold, snowy winters.
Nesting season it supports in Quebec
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Paper birch:
- Northern Cardinal — May–August
- Eastern Bluebird — May–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- Downy Woodpecker — May–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — May–June
- American Goldfinch — August–September
- White-breasted Nuthatch — May–June
- House Wren — June–August
- House Finch — May–August
- Purple Finch — June–July
Native plants to pair with Paper birch in Quebec
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Frequently asked
Is Paper birch native to Quebec?
Yes. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera) is recorded as native in Quebec. Quebec spans Canada 0a–5b.
What birds does Paper birch attract in Quebec?
In Quebec, Paper birch supports 112 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch.
Does Paper birch help nesting birds in Quebec?
106 of those birds nest in Quebec: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Eastern Bluebird (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Downy Woodpecker (May–June).
Which winter birds use Paper birch in Quebec?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in Quebec during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Quebec
- 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.