Saskatchewan · Shrub

Western serviceberry for birds in Saskatchewan

Saskatoon berries ripen in early summer. Native to Saskatchewan, where it feeds or shelters 27 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Amelanchier alnifolia
Native status
Native in Saskatchewan
Hardiness zones
Canada 1a–3b
What birds get from it
fruit and berries
Saskatchewan birds supported
27
Nesting birds among them
27

Growing conditions in Saskatchewan

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

Warm, sunny summers.

Saskatchewan birds that use Western serviceberry

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 Western serviceberry:

  • Eastern Bluebird — May–August
  • Purple Finch — June–July
  • 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
  • Brown Thrasher — May–July

Native plants to pair with Western serviceberry in Saskatchewan

Rhus glabra · Shrub

Red fruit heads hang on through winter.

Prunus pensylvanica · Tree

Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Cornus sericea · Shrub

White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.

Viburnum trilobum · Shrub

Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.

Ribes aureum · Shrub

Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit.

Frequently asked

Is Western serviceberry native to Saskatchewan?

Yes. Western serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) is recorded as native in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan spans Canada 1a–3b.

What birds does Western serviceberry attract in Saskatchewan?

In Saskatchewan, Western serviceberry supports 27 backyard birds, including Eastern Bluebird, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker.

Does Western serviceberry help nesting birds in Saskatchewan?

27 of those birds nest in Saskatchewan: Eastern Bluebird (May–August), Purple Finch (June–July), American Robin (May–July), White-throated Sparrow (June–July).

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.