Red-osier dogwood for birds in Northwest Territories
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover. Native to Northwest Territories, where it feeds or shelters 17 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Cornus sericea
- Native status
- Native in Northwest Territories
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 0a–1a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Northwest Territories birds supported
- 17
- Nesting birds among them
- 17
Growing conditions in Northwest Territories
Subarctic boreal forest in the south, Arctic tundra in the north.
Brief summers with midnight sun.
Northwest Territories birds that use Red-osier dogwood
Year-round residents (3)
Nesting season it supports in Northwest Territories
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Red-osier dogwood:
- American Robin — May–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Northern Flicker — May–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — May–June
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — June–July
- Cedar Waxwing — July–August
- Yellow-rumped Warbler — June–July
- Eastern Kingbird — June–July
- Canada Jay — April
- Fox Sparrow — June–July
Native plants to pair with Red-osier dogwood in Northwest Territories
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.
Frequently asked
Is Red-osier dogwood native to Northwest Territories?
Yes. Red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is recorded as native in Northwest Territories. Northwest Territories spans Canada 0a–1a.
What birds does Red-osier dogwood attract in Northwest Territories?
In Northwest Territories, Red-osier dogwood supports 17 backyard birds, including American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Cedar Waxwing.
Does Red-osier dogwood help nesting birds in Northwest Territories?
17 of those birds nest in Northwest Territories: American Robin (May–July), White-throated Sparrow (June–July), Northern Flicker (May–June), Pileated Woodpecker (May–June).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Northwest Territories
- 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.