New Mexico · Year-round resident

Cassin's Finchs in New Mexico

When Cassin's finches are present in New Mexico, when they nest, which native New Mexico plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–9a yard.

Finches (Fringillidae)Cassin's FinchHaemorhous cassinii

Status in New Mexico: Year-round resident
Nesting window: May–July
Broods: 1 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 4b–9a

When to expect Cassin's finches in New Mexico

Cassin's Finchs live in New Mexico all year. Cold nights and sunny days; many desert and mountain birds move to lower elevations. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward seeds.

Arid to semi-arid, with Chihuahuan desert in the south and mountain forest above 7,000 ft.

Nesting in New Mexico

Across New Mexico, Cassin's finches typically nest from May–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.

Hot, dry early summer followed by the July–August monsoon.

Cassin's Finchs don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as rocky mountain juniper, ponderosa pine for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native New Mexico plants that attract Cassin's finches

Of the regional native plants we track for New Mexico, 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.

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.

Rocky Mountain bee plant

Cleome serrulata · Perennial

Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.

Feeding Cassin's finches through the New Mexico year

Mountain finch that descends to foothill feeders in winter.

Best foods: Sunflower, Mixed seed.
In New Mexico's winter: Cold nights and sunny days; many desert and mountain birds move to lower elevations.

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

Frequently asked

Are Cassin's finches in New Mexico year-round?

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

When do Cassin's finches nest in New Mexico?

Nesting in New Mexico typically runs May–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 3–6 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.

What native plants attract Cassin's finches in New Mexico?

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

Cassin's Finchs in other regions

Arizona British Columbia California Colorado Idaho Montana Nevada Oregon Utah Washington Wyoming

Other backyard birds in New Mexico

Northern Cardinal 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 Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Indigo Bunting Painted Bunting Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Yellow-rumped Warbler House Sparrow European Starling Steller's Jay Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay Black-billed Magpie Mountain Chickadee Bushtit Juniper Titmouse Pygmy Nuthatch Anna's Hummingbird Black-chinned Hummingbird Broad-tailed Hummingbird Costa's Hummingbird Lesser Goldfinch Spotted Towhee Canyon Towhee Gambel's Quail Western Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe Black Phoebe Gila Woodpecker Ladder-backed Woodpecker Cactus Wren Curve-billed Thrasher Verdin Pyrrhuloxia Bewick's Wren White-crowned Sparrow Violet-green Swallow Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Bullock's Oriole Eurasian Collared-Dove White-winged Dove Inca 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.