Golden currant for birds in Saskatchewan
Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit. Native to Saskatchewan, where it feeds or shelters 28 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Ribes aureum
- Native status
- Native in Saskatchewan
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–3b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, nectar
- Saskatchewan birds supported
- 28
- Nesting birds among them
- 28
Growing conditions in Saskatchewan
Continental — prairie in the south, boreal forest in the north.
Warm, sunny summers.
Saskatchewan birds that use Golden currant
Year-round residents (5)
Purple Finch, Pileated Woodpecker, European Starling, Canada Jay, Pine Grosbeak
Summer breeders (23)
Eastern Bluebird, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Bullock's Oriole, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Bohemian Waxwing
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 Golden currant:
- Eastern Bluebird — May–August
- Purple Finch — June–July
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — June–August
- American Robin — May–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Northern Flicker — May–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — May–June
- Baltimore Oriole — June–July
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — June–July
- Gray Catbird — June–July
Native plants to pair with Golden currant in Saskatchewan
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.
Frequently asked
Is Golden currant native to Saskatchewan?
Yes. Golden currant (Ribes aureum) is recorded as native in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan spans Canada 1a–3b.
What birds does Golden currant attract in Saskatchewan?
In Saskatchewan, Golden currant supports 28 backyard birds, including Eastern Bluebird, Purple Finch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker.
Does Golden currant help nesting birds in Saskatchewan?
28 of those birds nest in Saskatchewan: Eastern Bluebird (May–August), Purple Finch (June–July), Ruby-throated Hummingbird (June–August), American Robin (May–July).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- 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.