Montana · Year-round resident

Cassin's Finchs in Montana

When Cassin's finches are present in Montana, when they nest, which native Montana plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–6a yard.

Finches (Fringillidae)Cassin's FinchHaemorhous cassinii

Status in Montana: Year-round resident
Nesting window: June–July
Broods: 1 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 3a–6a

When to expect Cassin's finches in Montana

Cassin's Finchs live in Montana all year. Very cold winters on the plains, with chinook winds bringing sudden thaws. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward seeds.

Continental — Rocky Mountain forest in the west, semi-arid Great Plains in the east.

Nesting in Montana

Across Montana, 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.

Warm, dry summers and a short growing season.

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 Montana plants that attract Cassin's finches

Of the regional native plants we track for Montana, these 8 provide food or cover Cassin's finches use:

Wild bergamot

Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta · Perennial

Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.

Common sunflower

Helianthus annuus · Perennial

Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.

Little bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium · Perennial

Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.

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.

Rocky Mountain juniper

Juniperus scopulorum · Tree

Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.

Ponderosa pine

Pinus ponderosa · Tree

Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.

Feeding Cassin's finches through the Montana year

Mountain finch that descends to foothill feeders in winter.

Best foods: Sunflower, Mixed seed.
In Montana's winter: Very cold winters on the plains, with chinook winds bringing sudden thaws.

Full diet breakdown for Cassin's finches · Best feeder for Cassin's finches

Frequently asked

Are Cassin's finches in Montana year-round?

Yes. Cassin's Finchs are year-round residents in Montana.

When do Cassin's finches nest in Montana?

Nesting in Montana 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 Montana?

Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine are native plants in Montana that provide food or cover for Cassin's finches.

Cassin's Finchs in other regions

Arizona British Columbia California Colorado Idaho Nevada New Mexico Oregon Utah Washington Wyoming

Other backyard birds in Montana

Black-capped Chickadee Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren House Finch Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-headed Woodpecker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Common Redpoll Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Yellow-rumped Warbler Eastern Screech-Owl Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Steller's Jay Black-billed Magpie Canada Jay Mountain Chickadee Chestnut-backed Chickadee Pygmy Nuthatch Black-chinned Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Spotted Towhee Western Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe White-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Varied Thrush Violet-green Swallow Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Bullock's Oriole Eurasian Collared-Dove

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.