House Finchs in British Columbia
When house finches 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.
- Status in British Columbia
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- May–August
- Broods
- 1–6 attempts per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–9a
When to expect house finches in British Columbia
House Finchs live in British Columbia all year. Mild, wet coastal winters where Anna's Hummingbirds now overwinter; cold interior winters. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward seeds and dried fruit; sunflower and nyjer at feeders.
Temperate rainforest on the coast, dry interior valleys and mountains, and boreal forest in the northeast.
Nesting in British Columbia
Across British Columbia, house finches typically nest from May–August. Nest site: ledges, hanging planters, dense conifers, vines and building nooks. Females lay 2–6 eggs, incubate for 13–14 days, and young leave the nest after 12–19 days.
Dry, warm coastal summers; hot in the Okanagan.
- House Finchs don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, paper birch, pin cherry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.
Native British Columbia plants that attract house finches
Of the regional native plants we track for British Columbia, these 8 provide food or cover house finches use:
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.
Feeding house finches through the British Columbia year
House finches are prone to Mycoplasma conjunctivitis (swollen, crusty eyes), which spreads at feeders. Clean feeders every two weeks and take them down for a week if you see sick birds.
- Best foods: Black-oil sunflower, Hulled sunflower, Nyjer.
- In British Columbia's winter: Mild, wet coastal winters where Anna's Hummingbirds now overwinter; cold interior winters.
Full diet breakdown for house finches · Best feeder for house finches
Frequently asked
Are house finches in British Columbia year-round?
Yes. House Finchs are year-round residents in British Columbia.
When do house finches nest in British Columbia?
Nesting in British Columbia typically runs May–August, with 1–6 attempts per season. Clutches are 2–6 eggs, incubated for 13–14 days.
What native plants attract house finches in British Columbia?
Smooth sumac, Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Paper birch, Pin cherry, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood are native plants in British Columbia that provide food or cover for house finches.
House Finchs in other regions
Other backyard birds in British Columbia
Sources
- House Finch — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- House Finch life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- House Finch — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — British Columbia
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- 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.