Cassin's Finchs in Oregon
When Cassin's finches are present in Oregon, when they nest, which native Oregon plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–9b yard.
- Status in Oregon
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9b
When to expect Cassin's finches in Oregon
Cassin's Finchs live in Oregon all year. Mild, rainy winters in the Willamette Valley; cold, snowy winters east of the Cascades. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward seeds.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades; high desert to the east.
Nesting in Oregon
Across Oregon, 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.
Dry summers west of the Cascades; hot days in the high desert.
- 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 Oregon plants that attract Cassin's finches
Of the regional native plants we track for Oregon, 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.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
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.
Feeding Cassin's finches through the Oregon year
Mountain finch that descends to foothill feeders in winter.
- Best foods: Sunflower, Mixed seed.
- In Oregon's winter: Mild, rainy winters in the Willamette Valley; cold, snowy winters east of the Cascades.
Full diet breakdown for Cassin's finches · Best feeder for Cassin's finches
Frequently asked
Are Cassin's finches in Oregon year-round?
Yes. Cassin's Finchs are year-round residents in Oregon.
When do Cassin's finches nest in Oregon?
Nesting in Oregon 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 Oregon?
Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine are native plants in Oregon that provide food or cover for Cassin's finches.
Cassin's Finchs in other regions
Other backyard birds in Oregon
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 — Oregon
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- 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.