British Columbia · Winter visitor

Hoary Redpolls in British Columbia

When hoary redpolls are present in British Columbia, when they nest, which native British Columbia plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 1a–9a yard.

Finches (Fringillidae)Hoary RedpollAcanthis hornemanni
Status in British Columbia
Winter visitor
Nesting window
Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones
Canada 1a–9a

When to expect hoary redpolls in British Columbia

In British Columbia, hoary redpolls are winter visitors rather than breeders. Mild, wet coastal winters where Anna's Hummingbirds now overwinter; cold interior winters.

Temperate rainforest on the coast, dry interior valleys and mountains, and boreal forest in the northeast.

Native British Columbia plants that attract hoary redpolls

Of the regional native plants we track for British Columbia, these 8 provide food or cover hoary redpolls 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.

Paper birch
Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Rocky Mountain bee plant
Cleome serrulata · Perennial

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

Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa · Shrub

Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.

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.

Feeding hoary redpolls through the British Columbia year

  • Top foods: Nyjer (thistle), Hulled sunflower.
  • In British Columbia's winter: Mild, wet coastal winters where Anna's Hummingbirds now overwinter; cold interior winters.

Full diet breakdown for hoary redpolls · Best feeder for hoary redpolls

Frequently asked

Are hoary redpolls in British Columbia year-round?

No. Hoary Redpolls are winter visitors in British Columbia and do not typically nest there.

What native plants attract hoary redpolls in British Columbia?

Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Paper birch, Rocky Mountain bee plant, Rabbitbrush, Willow (Bebb), Dwarf birch are native plants in British Columbia that provide food or cover for hoary redpolls.

Hoary Redpolls in other regions

Other backyard birds in British Columbia

Black-capped ChickadeeDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerAmerican GoldfinchWhite-breasted NuthatchHouse WrenHouse FinchPurple FinchMourning DoveAmerican RobinDark-eyed JuncoWhite-throated SparrowSong SparrowChipping SparrowNorthern FlickerPileated WoodpeckerYellow-bellied SapsuckerRed-breasted NuthatchBrown CreeperRed-winged BlackbirdRose-breasted GrosbeakEvening GrosbeakPine SiskinCommon RedpollGray CatbirdCedar WaxwingTree SwallowBarn SwallowYellow-rumped WarblerEastern KingbirdAmerican Tree SparrowHouse SparrowEuropean StarlingSteller's JayBlack-billed MagpieCanada JayMountain ChickadeeChestnut-backed ChickadeeBushtitPygmy NuthatchAnna's HummingbirdBlack-chinned HummingbirdRufous HummingbirdCassin's FinchSpotted TowheeCalifornia QuailWestern BluebirdMountain BluebirdSay's PhoebeBewick's WrenWhite-crowned SparrowGolden-crowned SparrowFox SparrowVaried ThrushViolet-green SwallowBlack-headed GrosbeakLazuli BuntingBullock's OrioleEurasian Collared-DoveAmerican CrowCommon RavenCooper's HawkSharp-shinned HawkRed-tailed HawkBarred OwlGreat Horned OwlAmerican KestrelWood DuckMallardGreat Blue HeronBelted KingfisherBrown-headed CowbirdRuby-crowned KingletGolden-crowned KingletHermit ThrushWinter WrenPine GrosbeakRed CrossbillGray CatbirdWestern TanagerLark SparrowClark's NutcrackerWestern Screech-OwlHooded MerganserYellow WarblerCommon YellowthroatAmerican RedstartBlack-and-white WarblerOvenbirdYellow-breasted ChatOrange-crowned WarblerPalm WarblerRed-eyed VireoWarbling VireoLeast FlycatcherWestern KingbirdCliff SwallowNorthern Rough-winged SwallowBank SwallowCommon NighthawkCanada GooseAmerican CootKilldeerSpotted SandpiperTurkey VultureOspreyBald EagleMerlinPeregrine FalconNorthern Saw-whet OwlBarn OwlLewis's WoodpeckerBlack-backed WoodpeckerAmerican Three-toed WoodpeckerWhite-headed WoodpeckerSavannah SparrowSwamp SparrowVesper SparrowHorned LarkCommon RedpollWhite-winged CrossbillGray-crowned Rosy-FinchBohemian WaxwingBobolinkYellow-headed BlackbirdBrewer's BlackbirdRusty BlackbirdRock Pigeon

Sources

  1. Hoary Redpoll — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Hoary Redpoll life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Hoary Redpoll — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — British Columbia
  5. Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
  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.