Wyoming · Year-round resident

Cassin's Finchs in Wyoming

When Cassin's finches are present in Wyoming, when they nest, which native Wyoming plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–5b yard.

Finches (Fringillidae)Cassin's FinchHaemorhous cassinii

Status in Wyoming: Year-round resident
Nesting window: June–July
Broods: 1 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 3a–5b

When to expect Cassin's finches in Wyoming

Cassin's Finchs live in Wyoming all year. Cold, very windy winters. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward seeds.

Semi-arid high plains and basins with major mountain ranges; most towns lie above 5,000 ft.

Nesting in Wyoming

Across Wyoming, 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.

Short, warm summers with cool nights.

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 Wyoming plants that attract Cassin's finches

Of the regional native plants we track for Wyoming, 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.

New England aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae · Perennial

Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.

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.

Feeding Cassin's finches through the Wyoming year

Mountain finch that descends to foothill feeders in winter.

Best foods: Sunflower, Mixed seed.
In Wyoming's winter: Cold, very windy winters.

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

Frequently asked

Are Cassin's finches in Wyoming year-round?

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

When do Cassin's finches nest in Wyoming?

Nesting in Wyoming 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 Wyoming?

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

Cassin's Finchs in other regions

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

Other backyard birds in Wyoming

Black-capped Chickadee Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Blue Jay House Finch Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Red-headed Woodpecker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird 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 Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay Black-billed Magpie Canada Jay Mountain Chickadee Bushtit Juniper Titmouse Pygmy Nuthatch Black-chinned Hummingbird Broad-tailed Hummingbird Lesser Goldfinch Spotted Towhee Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe White-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow 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.