Northwest Territories · Shrub

Willow (Bebb) for birds in Northwest Territories

Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds. Native to Northwest Territories, where it feeds or shelters 74 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Salix bebbiana
Native status
Native in Northwest Territories
Hardiness zones
Canada 0a–1a
What birds get from it
insects for nestlings, seed
Northwest Territories birds supported
74
Nesting birds among them
74

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 Willow (Bebb)

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 Willow (Bebb):

  • Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
  • Downy Woodpecker — May–June
  • Hairy Woodpecker — May–June
  • American Robin — May–July
  • Dark-eyed Junco — June–July
  • White-throated Sparrow — June–July
  • Song Sparrow — May–August
  • Chipping Sparrow — May–July
  • Northern Flicker — May–June
  • Pileated Woodpecker — May–June

Native plants to pair with Willow (Bebb) in Northwest Territories

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Betula glandulosa · Shrub

Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Abies balsamea · Tree

Spruce-budworm habitat and dense winter roosting cover.

Picea glauca · Tree

Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.

Larix laricina · Tree

Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.

Frequently asked

Is Willow (Bebb) native to Northwest Territories?

Yes. Willow (Bebb) (Salix bebbiana) is recorded as native in Northwest Territories. Northwest Territories spans Canada 0a–1a.

What birds does Willow (Bebb) attract in Northwest Territories?

In Northwest Territories, Willow (Bebb) supports 74 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, American Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow.

Does Willow (Bebb) help nesting birds in Northwest Territories?

74 of those birds nest in Northwest Territories: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Downy Woodpecker (May–June), Hairy Woodpecker (May–June), American Robin (May–July).

Sources

  1. USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
  2. VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
  3. eBird region overview and bar charts — Northwest Territories
  4. Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
  5. 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.