Yukon · Summer breeder

Merlins in Yukon

When merlins are present in Yukon, when they nest, which native Yukon plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 0a–1b yard.

Falcons (Falconidae)MerlinFalco columbarius

Status in Yukon: Summer breeder
Nesting window: June–July
Broods: 1 per season
Hardiness zones: Canada 0a–1b

When to expect merlins in Yukon

Merlins are summer residents in Yukon, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent.

Subarctic continental with mountains, boreal forest and Arctic tundra in the north.

Nesting in Yukon

Across Yukon, merlins typically nest from June–July. Plan around that window: May for setup, July for clean-out.

Short summers with nearly 24-hour daylight.

Merlins don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, chokecherry, white spruce for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native Yukon plants that attract merlins

Of the regional native plants we track for Yukon, these 6 provide food or cover merlins use:

Paper birch

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

White spruce

Picea glauca · Tree

Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.

Tamarack

Larix laricina · Tree

Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.

Willow (Bebb)

Salix bebbiana · Shrub

Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.

Dwarf birch

Betula glandulosa · Shrub

Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.

Feeding merlins through the Yukon year

Top foods: None — it hunts the birds your feeders attract.
In Yukon's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for merlins · Best feeder for merlins

Frequently asked

Are merlins in Yukon year-round?

No. Merlins are summer breeders in Yukon and leave for the winter.

When do merlins nest in Yukon?

Nesting in Yukon typically runs June–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 2–7 eggs, incubated for 28–32 days.

What native plants attract merlins in Yukon?

Paper birch, Chokecherry, White spruce, Tamarack, Willow (Bebb), Dwarf birch are native plants in Yukon that provide food or cover for merlins.

Other backyard birds in Yukon

Black-capped Chickadee Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Robin Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-breasted Nuthatch Red-winged Blackbird Pine Siskin Common Redpoll Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Yellow-rumped Warbler American Tree Sparrow Black-billed Magpie Canada Jay Mountain Chickadee Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Varied Thrush Violet-green Swallow American Crow Common Raven Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Great Horned Owl American Kestrel Mallard Great Blue Heron Belted Kingfisher Brown-headed Cowbird Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Winter Wren Pine Grosbeak Red Crossbill Western Tanager Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Orange-crowned Warbler Palm Warbler Red-eyed Vireo Warbling Vireo Least Flycatcher Cliff Swallow Bank Swallow Common Nighthawk Canada Goose American Coot Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper Osprey Bald Eagle Peregrine Falcon Northern Saw-whet Owl Black-backed Woodpecker American Three-toed Woodpecker Savannah Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Snow Bunting Lapland Longspur Horned Lark Common Redpoll Hoary Redpoll White-winged Crossbill Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch Bohemian Waxwing Rusty Blackbird Rock Pigeon

Sources

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.