Saskatchewan · Summer breeder

Western Tanagers in Saskatchewan

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

Cardinals and allies (Cardinalidae)Western TanagerPiranga ludoviciana

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

When to expect western tanagers in Saskatchewan

Western Tanagers are summer residents in Saskatchewan, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent.

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

Nesting in Saskatchewan

Across Saskatchewan, western tanagers typically nest from June–July. Plan around that window: May for setup, July for clean-out.

Warm, sunny summers.

Western Tanagers don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, bur oak, paper birch for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native Saskatchewan plants that attract western tanagers

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

Smooth sumac

Rhus glabra · Shrub

Red fruit heads hang on through winter.

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.

Pin cherry

Prunus pensylvanica · Tree

Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Red-osier dogwood

Cornus sericea · Shrub

White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.

Feeding western tanagers through the Saskatchewan year

Top foods: Orange halves, Grape jelly (during migration).
In Saskatchewan's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for western tanagers · Best feeder for western tanagers

Frequently asked

Are western tanagers in Saskatchewan year-round?

No. Western Tanagers are summer breeders in Saskatchewan and leave for the winter.

When do western tanagers nest in Saskatchewan?

Nesting in Saskatchewan typically runs June–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 13 days.

What native plants attract western tanagers in Saskatchewan?

Smooth sumac, Bur oak, New England aster, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Pin cherry, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood are native plants in Saskatchewan that provide food or cover for western tanagers.

Western Tanagers in other regions

Alberta Arizona British Columbia California Colorado Idaho Kansas Manitoba Montana Nebraska Nevada New Mexico North Dakota Northwest Territories Oklahoma Oregon South Dakota Utah Washington Wyoming Yukon

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 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 Northern Rough-winged 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.