Yukon · Year-round resident

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finchs in Yukon

When gray-crowned rosy-finches are present in Yukon, when they nest, which native Yukon plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 0a–1b yard.

Finches (Fringillidae)Gray-crowned Rosy-FinchLeucosticte tephrocotis

Status in Yukon: Year-round resident
Nesting window: July–August
Broods: 1 per season
Hardiness zones: Canada 0a–1b

When to expect gray-crowned rosy-finches in Yukon

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finchs live in Yukon all year. Long, dark winters well below −20°F. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them.

Subarctic continental with mountains, boreal forest and Arctic tundra in the north.

Nesting in Yukon

Across Yukon, gray-crowned rosy-finches typically nest from July–August. Plan around that window: June for setup, August for clean-out.

Short summers with nearly 24-hour daylight.

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finchs don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, willow (bebb), dwarf birch for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.

Native Yukon plants that attract gray-crowned rosy-finches

Of the regional native plants we track for Yukon, these 4 provide food or cover gray-crowned rosy-finches use:

Paper birch

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Willow (Bebb)

Salix bebbiana · Shrub

Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.

Dwarf birch

Betula glandulosa · Shrub

Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.

Fireweed

Chamaenerion angustifolium · Perennial

Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.

Feeding gray-crowned rosy-finches through the Yukon year

Top foods: Hulled sunflower, Millet (on the ground).
In Yukon's winter: Long, dark winters well below −20°F.

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

Frequently asked

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

Yes. Gray-crowned Rosy-Finchs are year-round residents in Yukon.

When do gray-crowned rosy-finches nest in Yukon?

Nesting in Yukon typically runs July–August, with 1 per season. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.

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

Paper birch, Willow (Bebb), Dwarf birch, Fireweed are native plants in Yukon that provide food or cover for gray-crowned rosy-finches.

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finchs in other regions

Alaska Alberta British Columbia Colorado Idaho Kansas Montana Nebraska Nevada North Dakota Oklahoma South Dakota Utah Wyoming

Other backyard birds in Yukon

Black-capped Chickadee Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Robin Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-breasted Nuthatch Red-winged Blackbird Pine Siskin Common Redpoll Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Yellow-rumped Warbler American Tree Sparrow Black-billed Magpie Canada Jay Mountain Chickadee Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Varied Thrush Violet-green Swallow American Crow Common Raven Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Great Horned Owl American Kestrel Mallard Great Blue Heron Belted Kingfisher Brown-headed Cowbird Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Winter Wren Pine Grosbeak Red Crossbill Western Tanager Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Orange-crowned Warbler Palm Warbler Red-eyed Vireo Warbling Vireo Least Flycatcher Cliff Swallow Bank Swallow Common Nighthawk Canada Goose American Coot Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper Osprey Bald Eagle Merlin Peregrine Falcon Northern Saw-whet Owl Black-backed Woodpecker American Three-toed Woodpecker Savannah Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Snow Bunting Lapland Longspur Horned Lark Common Redpoll Hoary Redpoll White-winged Crossbill Bohemian Waxwing Rusty Blackbird Rock Pigeon

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.