Northwest Territories · Shrub

Western serviceberry for birds in Northwest Territories

Saskatoon berries ripen in early summer. Native to Northwest Territories, where it feeds or shelters 17 backyard bird species.

Scientific name: Amelanchier alnifolia
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 Western serviceberry

Year-round residents (3)

Pileated Woodpecker, Canada Jay, Pine Grosbeak

Summer breeders (14)

American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Fox Sparrow, Varied Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Western Tanager, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Bohemian Waxwing

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 Western serviceberry:

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 Western serviceberry in Northwest Territories

Pin cherry

Prunus pensylvanica · Tree

Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Red-osier dogwood

Cornus sericea · Shrub

White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.

Highbush cranberry

Viburnum trilobum · Shrub

Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.

Bearberry

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi · Shrub

Low evergreen with winter-persistent red fruit.

Crowberry

Empetrum nigrum · Shrub

Arctic berry that survives under snow into spring.

Frequently asked

Is Western serviceberry native to Northwest Territories?

Yes. Western serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) is recorded as native in Northwest Territories. Northwest Territories spans Canada 0a–1a.

What birds does Western serviceberry attract in Northwest Territories?

In Northwest Territories, Western serviceberry supports 17 backyard birds, including American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Cedar Waxwing.

Does Western serviceberry 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

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.