Quebec · Winter visitor

Hoary Redpolls in Quebec

When hoary redpolls are present in Quebec, when they nest, which native Quebec plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 0a–5b yard.

Finches (Fringillidae)Hoary RedpollAcanthis hornemanni
Status in Quebec
Winter visitor
Nesting window
Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones
Canada 0a–5b

When to expect hoary redpolls in Quebec

In Quebec, hoary redpolls are winter visitors rather than breeders. Long, cold, snowy winters.

Humid continental in the St. Lawrence valley, boreal forest to the north, tundra in Nunavik.

Native Quebec plants that attract hoary redpolls

Of the regional native plants we track for Quebec, 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.

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.

Paper birch
Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Sugar maple
Acer saccharum · Tree

Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.

Red maple
Acer rubrum · Tree

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

Feeding hoary redpolls through the Quebec year

  • Top foods: Nyjer (thistle), Hulled sunflower.
  • In Quebec's winter: Long, cold, snowy winters.

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

Frequently asked

Are hoary redpolls in Quebec year-round?

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

What native plants attract hoary redpolls in Quebec?

Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Sugar maple, Red maple are native plants in Quebec that provide food or cover for hoary redpolls.

Hoary Redpolls in other regions

Other backyard birds in Quebec

Northern CardinalEastern BluebirdBlack-capped ChickadeeDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerAmerican GoldfinchWhite-breasted NuthatchHouse WrenBlue JayHouse FinchPurple FinchRuby-throated HummingbirdMourning DoveAmerican RobinDark-eyed JuncoWhite-throated SparrowSong SparrowChipping SparrowNorthern FlickerPileated WoodpeckerYellow-bellied SapsuckerRed-breasted NuthatchBrown CreeperCommon GrackleRed-winged BlackbirdBaltimore OrioleRose-breasted GrosbeakEvening GrosbeakPine SiskinCommon RedpollIndigo BuntingGray CatbirdBrown ThrasherCedar WaxwingTree SwallowBarn SwallowEastern PhoebeChimney SwiftYellow-rumped WarblerPine WarblerEastern Screech-OwlWood ThrushGreat Crested FlycatcherEastern KingbirdAmerican Tree SparrowHouse SparrowEuropean StarlingCanada JayWhite-crowned SparrowFox SparrowAmerican CrowCommon RavenCooper's HawkSharp-shinned HawkRed-tailed HawkBarred OwlGreat Horned OwlAmerican KestrelWood DuckWild TurkeyMallardGreat Blue HeronBelted KingfisherScarlet TanagerEastern MeadowlarkBrown-headed CowbirdRuby-crowned KingletGolden-crowned KingletHermit ThrushWinter WrenPine GrosbeakRed CrossbillGray CatbirdLark SparrowHooded MerganserYellow WarblerCommon YellowthroatAmerican RedstartBlack-and-white WarblerOvenbirdOrange-crowned WarblerPalm WarblerRed-eyed VireoWarbling VireoEastern Wood-PeweeLeast FlycatcherCliff SwallowNorthern Rough-winged SwallowBank SwallowCommon NighthawkEastern Whip-poor-willCanada GooseAmerican CootKilldeerSpotted SandpiperAmerican WoodcockGreen HeronBlack-crowned Night HeronTurkey VultureOspreyBald EagleRed-shouldered HawkMerlinPeregrine FalconNorthern Saw-whet OwlBlack-backed WoodpeckerAmerican Three-toed WoodpeckerSavannah SparrowSwamp SparrowVesper SparrowSnow BuntingLapland LongspurHorned LarkCommon RedpollWhite-winged CrossbillBohemian WaxwingBobolinkRusty 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 — Quebec
  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.