Oklahoma · Winter visitor

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finchs in Oklahoma

When gray-crowned rosy-finches are present in Oklahoma, when they nest, which native Oklahoma plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 6a–8a yard.

Finches (Fringillidae)Gray-crowned Rosy-FinchLeucosticte tephrocotis
Status in Oklahoma
Winter visitor
Nesting window
Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones
USDA 6a–8a

When to expect gray-crowned rosy-finches in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, gray-crowned rosy-finches are winter visitors rather than breeders. Mild winters with occasional severe ice storms.

Humid in the forested east, semi-arid in the western plains and Panhandle.

Native Oklahoma plants that attract gray-crowned rosy-finches

Of the regional native plants we track for Oklahoma, these 8 provide food or cover gray-crowned rosy-finches use:

Wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Purple coneflower
Echinacea purpurea · Perennial

Leave seed heads up through winter for goldfinches.

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.

Red maple
Acer rubrum · Tree

Among the first spring bloomers; early insects for returning migrants.

Feeding gray-crowned rosy-finches through the Oklahoma year

  • Top foods: Hulled sunflower, Millet (on the ground).
  • In Oklahoma's winter: Mild winters with occasional severe ice storms.

Full diet breakdown for gray-crowned rosy-finches · Best feeder for gray-crowned rosy-finches

Frequently asked

Are gray-crowned rosy-finches in Oklahoma year-round?

No. Gray-crowned Rosy-Finchs are winter visitors in Oklahoma and do not typically nest there.

What native plants attract gray-crowned rosy-finches in Oklahoma?

Wild bergamot, Purple coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Red maple are native plants in Oklahoma that provide food or cover for gray-crowned rosy-finches.

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finchs in other regions

Other backyard birds in Oklahoma

Northern CardinalEastern BluebirdCarolina ChickadeePurple MartinDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerAmerican GoldfinchTufted TitmouseWhite-breasted NuthatchHouse WrenBlue JayHouse FinchPurple FinchRuby-throated HummingbirdCarolina WrenMourning DoveAmerican RobinDark-eyed JuncoWhite-throated SparrowSong SparrowChipping SparrowRed-bellied WoodpeckerNorthern FlickerPileated WoodpeckerRed-headed WoodpeckerYellow-bellied SapsuckerRed-breasted NuthatchBrown-headed NuthatchBrown CreeperCommon GrackleRed-winged BlackbirdBaltimore OrioleOrchard OriolePine SiskinIndigo BuntingPainted BuntingEastern TowheeGray CatbirdNorthern MockingbirdBrown ThrasherCedar WaxwingTree SwallowBarn SwallowEastern PhoebeChimney SwiftYellow-rumped WarblerPine WarblerEastern Screech-OwlWood ThrushGreat Crested FlycatcherEastern KingbirdAmerican Tree SparrowHouse SparrowEuropean StarlingWoodhouse's Scrub-JayBushtitJuniper TitmouseBlack-crested TitmouseBlack-chinned HummingbirdLesser GoldfinchSpotted TowheeCanyon TowheeMountain BluebirdSay's PhoebeLadder-backed WoodpeckerCurve-billed ThrasherBewick's WrenWhite-crowned SparrowFox SparrowBullock's OrioleEurasian Collared-DoveAmerican CrowCommon RavenCooper's HawkSharp-shinned HawkRed-tailed HawkBarred OwlGreat Horned OwlAmerican KestrelWood DuckWild TurkeyNorthern BobwhiteMallardGreat Blue HeronBelted KingfisherEastern MeadowlarkBrown-headed CowbirdGolden-crowned KingletWinter WrenRed CrossbillField SparrowGray CatbirdWestern TanagerLark SparrowHooded MerganserYellow WarblerCommon YellowthroatAmerican RedstartYellow-throated WarblerProthonotary WarblerOvenbirdYellow-breasted ChatRed-eyed VireoWarbling VireoWhite-eyed VireoEastern Wood-PeweeLeast FlycatcherWestern KingbirdScissor-tailed FlycatcherAsh-throated FlycatcherCliff SwallowNorthern Rough-winged SwallowBank SwallowCommon NighthawkEastern Whip-poor-willCanada GooseAmerican CootKilldeerSpotted SandpiperAmerican WoodcockGreen HeronGreat EgretBlack-crowned Night HeronTurkey VultureBlack VultureOspreyBald EagleRed-shouldered HawkMerlinPeregrine FalconNorthern Saw-whet OwlBarn OwlBurrowing OwlRed-cockaded WoodpeckerSavannah SparrowSwamp SparrowHarris's SparrowVesper SparrowSnow BuntingLapland LongspurHorned LarkDickcisselBlue GrosbeakHoary RedpollWhite-winged CrossbillBrown-headed NuthatchGreater RoadrunnerYellow-billed CuckooBobolinkYellow-headed BlackbirdBrewer's BlackbirdRusty BlackbirdGreat-tailed GrackleRock Pigeon

Sources

  1. Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — Oklahoma
  5. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  6. 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.