Saskatchewan · Year-round resident

Common Ravens in Saskatchewan

When ravens are present in Saskatchewan, when they nest, which native Saskatchewan plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 1a–3b yard.

Crows and jays (Corvidae)Common RavenCorvus corax
Status in Saskatchewan
Year-round resident
Nesting window
March–May
Broods
1 per season
Hardiness zones
Canada 1a–3b

When to expect ravens in Saskatchewan

Common Ravens live in Saskatchewan all year. Very cold, dry winters. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them.

Continental — prairie in the south, boreal forest in the north.

Nesting in Saskatchewan

Across Saskatchewan, ravens typically nest from March–May. Plan around that window: February for setup, May for clean-out.

Warm, sunny summers.

  • Common Ravens don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as bur oak, paper birch, chokecherry for nest sites.
  • Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after May.

Native Saskatchewan plants that attract ravens

Of the regional native plants we track for Saskatchewan, these 8 provide food or cover ravens use:

Bur oak
Quercus macrocarpa · Tree

Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.

New England aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae · Perennial

Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.

Tall goldenrod
Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Paper birch
Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa · Shrub

Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.

Balsam fir
Abies balsamea · Tree

Spruce-budworm habitat and dense winter roosting cover.

White spruce
Picea glauca · Tree

Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.

Feeding ravens through the Saskatchewan year

  • Top foods: Peanuts in the shell, Suet scraps.
  • In Saskatchewan's winter: Very cold, dry winters.

Full diet breakdown for ravens · Best feeder for ravens

Frequently asked

Are ravens in Saskatchewan year-round?

Yes. Common Ravens are year-round residents in Saskatchewan.

When do ravens nest in Saskatchewan?

Nesting in Saskatchewan typically runs March–May, with 1 per season. Clutches are 3–7 eggs, incubated for 20–25 days.

What native plants attract ravens in Saskatchewan?

Bur oak, New England aster, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Rabbitbrush, Balsam fir, White spruce are native plants in Saskatchewan that provide food or cover for ravens.

Common Ravens in other regions

Other backyard birds in Saskatchewan

Eastern BluebirdBlack-capped ChickadeePurple MartinDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerAmerican GoldfinchWhite-breasted NuthatchHouse WrenPurple FinchRuby-throated HummingbirdMourning DoveAmerican RobinDark-eyed JuncoWhite-throated SparrowSong SparrowChipping SparrowNorthern FlickerPileated WoodpeckerYellow-bellied SapsuckerRed-breasted NuthatchCommon GrackleRed-winged BlackbirdBaltimore OrioleRose-breasted GrosbeakEvening GrosbeakPine SiskinCommon RedpollGray CatbirdBrown ThrasherCedar WaxwingTree SwallowBarn SwallowEastern PhoebeYellow-rumped WarblerGreat Crested FlycatcherEastern KingbirdAmerican Tree SparrowHouse SparrowEuropean StarlingBlack-billed MagpieCanada JaySpotted TowheeMountain BluebirdSay's PhoebeFox SparrowLazuli BuntingBullock's OrioleEurasian Collared-DoveAmerican CrowCooper's HawkSharp-shinned HawkRed-tailed HawkBarred OwlGreat Horned OwlAmerican KestrelWood DuckMallardGreat Blue HeronBelted KingfisherBrown-headed CowbirdRuby-crowned KingletGolden-crowned KingletHermit ThrushWinter WrenPine GrosbeakRed CrossbillGray CatbirdWestern TanagerHooded MerganserYellow WarblerCommon YellowthroatAmerican RedstartBlack-and-white WarblerOvenbirdYellow-breasted ChatOrange-crowned WarblerPalm WarblerRed-eyed VireoWarbling VireoLeast FlycatcherWestern KingbirdCliff SwallowNorthern Rough-winged SwallowBank SwallowCommon NighthawkCanada GooseAmerican CootKilldeerSpotted SandpiperBlack-crowned Night HeronTurkey VultureOspreyBald EagleMerlinPeregrine FalconNorthern Saw-whet OwlBurrowing OwlLewis's WoodpeckerBlack-backed WoodpeckerAmerican Three-toed WoodpeckerSavannah SparrowSwamp SparrowVesper SparrowSnow BuntingLapland LongspurHorned LarkCommon RedpollHoary RedpollWhite-winged CrossbillBohemian WaxwingBobolinkYellow-headed BlackbirdBrewer's BlackbirdRusty BlackbirdRock Pigeon

Sources

  1. Common Raven — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Common Raven life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Common Raven — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — Saskatchewan
  5. Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
  6. 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.