Merlins in British Columbia
When merlins 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
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–9a
When to expect merlins in British Columbia
Merlins are summer residents in British Columbia, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent.
Temperate rainforest on the coast, dry interior valleys and mountains, and boreal forest in the northeast.
Nesting in British Columbia
Across British Columbia, merlins typically nest from June–July. Plan around that window: May for setup, July for clean-out.
Dry, warm coastal summers; hot in the Okanagan.
- Merlins don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, chokecherry, ponderosa pine for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native British Columbia plants that attract merlins
Of the regional native plants we track for British Columbia, these 8 provide food or cover merlins use:
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Acorns and a rich insect community in the Pacific Northwest.
Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees.
Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.
Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.
Feeding merlins through the British Columbia year
- Top foods: None — it hunts the birds your feeders attract.
- In British Columbia's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are merlins in British Columbia year-round?
No. Merlins are summer breeders in British Columbia and leave for the winter.
When do merlins nest in British Columbia?
Nesting in British Columbia typically runs June–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 2–7 eggs, incubated for 28–32 days.
What native plants attract merlins in British Columbia?
Paper birch, Chokecherry, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush, Oregon white oak, Douglas fir, White spruce, Tamarack are native plants in British Columbia that provide food or cover for merlins.
Merlins in other regions
Other backyard birds in British Columbia
Sources
- Merlin — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Merlin life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Merlin — 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.