Saskatchewan · Year-round resident

Evening Grosbeaks in Saskatchewan

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

Finches (Fringillidae)Evening GrosbeakCoccothraustes vespertinus
Status in Saskatchewan
Year-round resident
Nesting window
July
Broods
1–2 per season
Hardiness zones
Canada 1a–3b

When to expect evening grosbeaks in Saskatchewan

Evening Grosbeaks 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 maple, box elder and ash seeds.

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

Nesting in Saskatchewan

Across Saskatchewan, evening grosbeaks typically nest from July. Nest site: loose cup high in conifers. Females lay 2–5 eggs, incubate for 11–14 days, and young leave the nest after 13–14 days.

Warm, sunny summers.

  • Evening Grosbeaks don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch for nest sites.
  • Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native Saskatchewan plants that attract evening grosbeaks

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

Wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta · Perennial

Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.

Common sunflower
Helianthus annuus · Perennial

Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.

New England aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae · Perennial

Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.

Little bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium · Perennial

Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.

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.

Rocky Mountain bee plant
Cleome serrulata · Perennial

Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.

Feeding evening grosbeaks through the Saskatchewan year

Flocks can empty a feeder in a morning during irruption years; populations have declined sharply since the 1980s.

  • Best foods: Black-oil sunflower.
  • In Saskatchewan's winter: Very cold, dry winters.

Full diet breakdown for evening grosbeaks · Best feeder for evening grosbeaks

Frequently asked

Are evening grosbeaks in Saskatchewan year-round?

Yes. Evening Grosbeaks are year-round residents in Saskatchewan.

When do evening grosbeaks nest in Saskatchewan?

Nesting in Saskatchewan typically runs July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 2–5 eggs, incubated for 11–14 days.

What native plants attract evening grosbeaks in Saskatchewan?

Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Rocky Mountain bee plant are native plants in Saskatchewan that provide food or cover for evening grosbeaks.

Evening Grosbeaks in other regions

Other backyard birds in Saskatchewan

Sources

  1. Evening Grosbeak — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Evening Grosbeak life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Evening Grosbeak — 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.