Willow (Bebb) for birds in Alaska
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds. Native to Alaska, where it feeds or shelters 66 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Salix bebbiana
- Native status
- Native in Alaska
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 1a–8a
- What birds get from it
- insects for nestlings, seed
- Alaska birds supported
- 66
- Nesting birds among them
- 66
Growing conditions in Alaska
Subarctic interior, temperate rainforest in the Southeast panhandle, and Arctic tundra on the North Slope.
A short, explosive summer with near-continuous daylight compresses nesting into a few weeks.
Alaska birds that use Willow (Bebb)
Year-round residents (21)
Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Black-billed Magpie, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Common Raven, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Great Horned Owl, Mallard, Belted Kingfisher, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Hoary Redpoll, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (45)
American Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Redpoll, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Tree Sparrow, Mountain Bluebird, Say's Phoebe, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Violet-green Swallow, American Kestrel, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Orange-crowned Warbler, Palm Warbler, Warbling Vireo, Least Flycatcher, Cliff Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Canada Goose, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Osprey, Merlin, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Horned Lark, Common Redpoll, Rusty Blackbird
Nesting season it supports in Alaska
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Willow (Bebb):
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- Downy Woodpecker — May–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — May–June
- American Robin — May–July
- Dark-eyed Junco — June–July
- Song Sparrow — May–August
- Chipping Sparrow — May–July
- Northern Flicker — May–June
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker — June
- Red-breasted Nuthatch — June
Native plants to pair with Willow (Bebb) in Alaska
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.
Frequently asked
Is Willow (Bebb) native to Alaska?
Yes. Willow (Bebb) (Salix bebbiana) is recorded as native in Alaska. Alaska spans USDA 1a–8a.
What birds does Willow (Bebb) attract in Alaska?
In Alaska, Willow (Bebb) supports 66 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, American Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow.
Does Willow (Bebb) help nesting birds in Alaska?
66 of those birds nest in Alaska: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Downy Woodpecker (May–June), Hairy Woodpecker (May–June), American Robin (May–July).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Alaska
- 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.