House Finchs in Washington
When house finches are present in Washington, when they nest, which native Washington plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–9a yard.
- Status in Washington
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- April–August
- Broods
- 1–6 attempts per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
When to expect house finches in Washington
House Finchs live in Washington all year. Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east. 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.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades, semi-arid shrub-steppe to the east.
Nesting in Washington
Across Washington, house finches typically nest from April–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, sunny summers west of the Cascades; hot in the Columbia Basin.
- House Finchs don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, paper birch, chokecherry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.
Native Washington plants that attract house finches
Of the regional native plants we track for Washington, 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.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Feeding house finches through the Washington 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 Washington's winter: Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east.
Full diet breakdown for house finches · Best feeder for house finches
Frequently asked
Are house finches in Washington year-round?
Yes. House Finchs are year-round residents in Washington.
When do house finches nest in Washington?
Nesting in Washington typically runs April–August, with 1–6 attempts per season. Clutches are 2–6 eggs, incubated for 13–14 days.
What native plants attract house finches in Washington?
Smooth sumac, Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry are native plants in Washington that provide food or cover for house finches.
House Finchs in other regions
Other backyard birds in Washington
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 — Washington
- 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.