Serviceberry for birds in New Hampshire
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed. Native to New Hampshire, where it feeds or shelters 90 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Amelanchier arborea
- Native status
- Native in New Hampshire
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–6a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
- New Hampshire birds supported
- 90
- Nesting birds among them
- 87
Growing conditions in New Hampshire
Humid continental, with the White Mountains dividing the southern lowlands from northern forest.
Mild summers; nesting starts late May.
New Hampshire birds that use Serviceberry
Year-round residents (38)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, Canada Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, Hooded Merganser, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker
Summer breeders (49)
Eastern Bluebird, Purple Martin, House Wren, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, Chimney Swift, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler, Ovenbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Least Flycatcher, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Green Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Swamp Sparrow, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bobolink, Rusty Blackbird
Winter visitors (3)
Long, snowy winters; boreal species visit feeders in irruption years.
Nesting season it supports in New Hampshire
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Serviceberry:
- Northern Cardinal — May–August
- Eastern Bluebird — May–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- Purple Martin — June–July
- Downy Woodpecker — May–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — May–June
- Tufted Titmouse — May–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — May–June
- House Wren — June–August
- House Finch — May–August
Native plants to pair with Serviceberry in New Hampshire
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Frequently asked
Is Serviceberry native to New Hampshire?
Yes. Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) is recorded as native in New Hampshire. New Hampshire spans USDA 3b–6a.
What birds does Serviceberry attract in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, Serviceberry supports 90 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does Serviceberry help nesting birds in New Hampshire?
87 of those birds nest in New Hampshire: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Eastern Bluebird (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Purple Martin (June–July).
Which winter birds use Serviceberry in New Hampshire?
Winter visitors Pine Grosbeak, Merlin, Bohemian Waxwing use it in New Hampshire during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Hampshire
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- 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.