Cassin's Finchs in British Columbia
When Cassin's finches are present in British Columbia, when they nest, which native British Columbia plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 1a–9a yard.
- Status in British Columbia
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–9a
When to expect Cassin's finches in British Columbia
Cassin's Finchs live in British Columbia all year. Mild, wet coastal winters where Anna's Hummingbirds now overwinter; cold interior winters. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward seeds.
Temperate rainforest on the coast, dry interior valleys and mountains, and boreal forest in the northeast.
Nesting in British Columbia
Across British Columbia, Cassin's finches typically nest from June–July. Nest site: cup high in conifers. Females lay 3–6 eggs, incubate for 12–14 days, and young leave the nest after 11–14 days.
Dry, warm coastal summers; hot in the Okanagan.
- Cassin's Finchs don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, rocky mountain juniper, ponderosa pine for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native British Columbia plants that attract Cassin's finches
Of the regional native plants we track for British Columbia, these 8 provide food or cover Cassin's finches use:
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Feeding Cassin's finches through the British Columbia year
Mountain finch that descends to foothill feeders in winter.
- Best foods: Sunflower, Mixed seed.
- In British Columbia's winter: Mild, wet coastal winters where Anna's Hummingbirds now overwinter; cold interior winters.
Full diet breakdown for Cassin's finches · Best feeder for Cassin's finches
Frequently asked
Are Cassin's finches in British Columbia year-round?
Yes. Cassin's Finchs are year-round residents in British Columbia.
When do Cassin's finches nest in British Columbia?
Nesting in British Columbia typically runs June–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 3–6 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.
What native plants attract Cassin's finches in British Columbia?
Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Paper birch, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine, Rocky Mountain bee plant, Rabbitbrush are native plants in British Columbia that provide food or cover for Cassin's finches.
Cassin's Finchs in other regions
Other backyard birds in British Columbia
Sources
- Cassin's Finch — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Cassin's Finch life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Cassin's Finch — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — British Columbia
- 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.