Black-billed Magpies in Saskatchewan
When magpies are present in Saskatchewan, when they nest, which native Saskatchewan plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 1a–3b yard.
- Status in Saskatchewan
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- May–June
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–3b
When to expect magpies in Saskatchewan
Black-billed Magpies live in Saskatchewan all year. Very cold, dry winters. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward carrion and seeds.
Continental — prairie in the south, boreal forest in the north.
Nesting in Saskatchewan
Across Saskatchewan, magpies typically nest from May–June. Nest site: huge domed stick nest in trees or shrubs. Females lay 5–8 eggs, incubate for 16–21 days, and young leave the nest after 25–29 days.
Warm, sunny summers.
- Black-billed Magpies don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as bur oak, paper birch for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after June.
Native Saskatchewan plants that attract magpies
Of the regional native plants we track for Saskatchewan, these 8 provide food or cover magpies use:
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Feeding magpies through the Saskatchewan year
Magpies are intelligent and wary; they visit platform feeders near open country and pastures.
- Best foods: Suet, Peanuts, Cracked corn.
- In Saskatchewan's winter: Very cold, dry winters.
Frequently asked
Are magpies in Saskatchewan year-round?
Yes. Black-billed Magpies are year-round residents in Saskatchewan.
When do magpies nest in Saskatchewan?
Nesting in Saskatchewan typically runs May–June, with 1 per season. Clutches are 5–8 eggs, incubated for 16–21 days.
What native plants attract magpies in Saskatchewan?
Bur oak, Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch are native plants in Saskatchewan that provide food or cover for magpies.
Black-billed Magpies in other regions
Other backyard birds in Saskatchewan
Sources
- Black-billed Magpie — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-billed Magpie life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-billed Magpie — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Saskatchewan
- 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.