Saskatchewan · Summer breeder

Northern Rough-winged Swallows in Saskatchewan

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

Swallows (Hirundinidae)Northern Rough-winged SwallowStelgidopteryx serripennis

Status in Saskatchewan: Summer breeder
Nesting window: May–July
Broods: 1–2 per season
Hardiness zones: Canada 1a–3b

When to expect northern rough-winged swallows in Saskatchewan

Northern Rough-winged Swallows are summer residents in Saskatchewan, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent.

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

Nesting in Saskatchewan

Across Saskatchewan, northern rough-winged swallows typically nest from May–July. Plan around that window: April for setup, July for clean-out.

Warm, sunny summers.

Northern Rough-winged Swallows 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 July.

Native Saskatchewan plants that attract northern rough-winged swallows

Of the regional native plants we track for Saskatchewan, these 8 provide food or cover northern rough-winged swallows 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 northern rough-winged swallows through the Saskatchewan year

Top foods: None — open water and earth banks are the draw.
In Saskatchewan's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for northern rough-winged swallows · Best feeder for northern rough-winged swallows

Frequently asked

Are northern rough-winged swallows in Saskatchewan year-round?

No. Northern Rough-winged Swallows are summer breeders in Saskatchewan and leave for the winter.

When do northern rough-winged swallows nest in Saskatchewan?

Nesting in Saskatchewan typically runs May–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 4–8 eggs, incubated for 12–16 days.

What native plants attract northern rough-winged swallows 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 northern rough-winged swallows.

Other backyard birds in Saskatchewan

Eastern Bluebird Black-capped Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Purple Finch Ruby-throated Hummingbird Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-breasted Nuthatch Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Rose-breasted Grosbeak Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Common Redpoll Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Yellow-rumped Warbler Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Black-billed Magpie Canada Jay Spotted Towhee Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe Fox Sparrow Lazuli Bunting Bullock's Oriole Eurasian Collared-Dove American Crow Common Raven Cooper's Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Barred Owl Great Horned Owl American Kestrel Wood Duck Mallard Great Blue Heron Belted Kingfisher Brown-headed Cowbird Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Winter Wren Pine Grosbeak Red Crossbill Gray Catbird Western Tanager Hooded Merganser Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Black-and-white Warbler Ovenbird Yellow-breasted Chat Orange-crowned Warbler Palm Warbler Red-eyed Vireo Warbling Vireo Least Flycatcher Western Kingbird Cliff Swallow Bank Swallow Common Nighthawk Canada Goose American Coot Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper Black-crowned Night Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Merlin Peregrine Falcon Northern Saw-whet Owl Burrowing Owl Lewis's Woodpecker Black-backed Woodpecker American Three-toed Woodpecker Savannah Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Snow Bunting Lapland Longspur Horned Lark Common Redpoll Hoary Redpoll White-winged Crossbill Bohemian Waxwing Bobolink Yellow-headed Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird Rusty Blackbird Rock Pigeon

Sources

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.