Spotted Towhees in Saskatchewan
When spotted towhees 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
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–3b
When to expect spotted towhees in Saskatchewan
Spotted Towhees are summer residents in Saskatchewan, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on beetles and caterpillars.
Continental — prairie in the south, boreal forest in the north.
Nesting in Saskatchewan
Across Saskatchewan, spotted towhees typically nest from May–July. Nest site: cup on or near the ground. Females lay 3–5 eggs, incubate for 12–14 days, and young leave the nest after 10–12 days.
Warm, sunny summers.
- Spotted Towhees don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, paper birch for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Saskatchewan plants that attract spotted towhees
Of the regional native plants we track for Saskatchewan, these 8 provide food or cover spotted towhees use:
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
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 spotted towhees through the Saskatchewan year
Scratches noisily under shrubs — leaf litter is prime habitat.
- Best foods: Millet, Sunflower chips.
- In Saskatchewan's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for spotted towhees · Best feeder for spotted towhees
Frequently asked
Are spotted towhees in Saskatchewan year-round?
No. Spotted Towhees are summer breeders in Saskatchewan and leave for the winter.
When do spotted towhees nest in Saskatchewan?
Nesting in Saskatchewan typically runs May–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.
What native plants attract spotted towhees in Saskatchewan?
Smooth sumac, 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 spotted towhees.
Spotted Towhees in other regions
Other backyard birds in Saskatchewan
Sources
- Spotted Towhee — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Spotted Towhee life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Spotted Towhee — 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.