Perch Supply
Saskatchewan · Tree

Black spruce for birds in Saskatchewan

Persistent cones in boreal bogs. Native to Saskatchewan, where it feeds or shelters 15 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Picea mariana
Native status
Native in Saskatchewan
Hardiness zones
Canada 1a–3b
What birds get from it
conifer seed and cover
Saskatchewan birds supported
15
Nesting birds among them
13

Growing conditions in Saskatchewan

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

Warm, sunny summers.

Saskatchewan birds that use Black spruce

Summer breeders (1)

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Winter visitors (2)

Common Redpoll, Common Redpoll

Very cold, dry winters.

Nesting season it supports in Saskatchewan

Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Black spruce:

  • Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
  • Red-breasted Nuthatch — June
  • Evening Grosbeak — July
  • Pine Siskin — May–June
  • Canada Jay — April
  • Ruby-crowned Kinglet — June–July
  • Golden-crowned Kinglet — June–July
  • Pine Grosbeak — June–July
  • Red Crossbill — February–December
  • Northern Saw-whet Owl — April–June

Native plants to pair with Black spruce in Saskatchewan

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.

Tamarack
Larix laricina · Tree

Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.

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.

Frequently asked

Is Black spruce native to Saskatchewan?

Yes. Black spruce (Picea mariana) is recorded as native in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan spans Canada 1a–3b.

What birds does Black spruce attract in Saskatchewan?

In Saskatchewan, Black spruce supports 15 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, Canada Jay.

Does Black spruce help nesting birds in Saskatchewan?

13 of those birds nest in Saskatchewan: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Red-breasted Nuthatch (June), Evening Grosbeak (July), Pine Siskin (May–June).

Which winter birds use Black spruce in Saskatchewan?

Winter visitors Common Redpoll, Common Redpoll use it in Saskatchewan during the cold months.

Sources

  1. USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
  2. VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
  3. eBird region overview and bar charts — Saskatchewan
  4. Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
  5. 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.