House Finchs in North Dakota
When house finches are present in North Dakota, when they nest, which native North Dakota plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–4b yard.
- Status in North Dakota
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- May–August
- Broods
- 1–6 attempts per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–4b
When to expect house finches in North Dakota
House Finchs live in North Dakota all year. Severe winters to −30°F; Snow Buntings and redpolls arrive from the Arctic. 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.
Continental northern prairie with prairie-pothole wetlands and the Missouri River breaks.
Nesting in North Dakota
Across North Dakota, 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.
Short, warm summers with a peak nesting season in June.
- House Finchs don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as eastern red cedar, smooth sumac, black cherry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.
Native North Dakota plants that attract house finches
Of the regional native plants we track for North Dakota, these 8 provide food or cover house finches use:
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Blue fruit on red stems in early fall.
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.
Feeding house finches through the North Dakota 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 North Dakota's winter: Severe winters to −30°F; Snow Buntings and redpolls arrive from the Arctic.
Full diet breakdown for house finches · Best feeder for house finches
Frequently asked
Are house finches in North Dakota year-round?
Yes. House Finchs are year-round residents in North Dakota.
When do house finches nest in North Dakota?
Nesting in North Dakota 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 North Dakota?
Eastern red cedar, Smooth sumac, Black cherry, American elderberry, Virginia creeper, Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower are native plants in North Dakota that provide food or cover for house finches.
House Finchs in other regions
Other backyard birds in North Dakota
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 — North Dakota
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- 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.