Washington · Year-round resident

Pine Siskins in Washington

When pine siskins are present in Washington, when they nest, which native Washington plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–9a yard.

Finches (Fringillidae)Pine SiskinSpinus pinus

Status in Washington: Year-round resident
Nesting window: April–June
Broods: 1–2 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 4a–9a

When to expect pine siskins in Washington

Pine Siskins 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 spruce, birch and alder seed.

Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades, semi-arid shrub-steppe to the east.

Nesting in Washington

Across Washington, pine siskins typically nest from April–June. Nest site: shallow cup far out on a conifer branch. Females lay 3–5 eggs, incubate for 13 days, and young leave the nest after 14–15 days.

Dry, sunny summers west of the Cascades; hot in the Columbia Basin.

Pine Siskins don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, rocky mountain juniper, ponderosa pine for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after June.

Native Washington plants that attract pine siskins

Of the regional native plants we track for Washington, these 8 provide food or cover pine siskins use:

Wild bergamot

Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta · Perennial

Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.

Common sunflower

Helianthus annuus · Perennial

Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.

Little bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium · Perennial

Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.

Tall goldenrod

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Paper birch

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Rocky Mountain juniper

Juniperus scopulorum · Tree

Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.

Ponderosa pine

Pinus ponderosa · Tree

Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.

Feeding pine siskins through the Washington year

Siskins are prone to salmonella outbreaks at crowded feeders — clean tube feeders weekly during irruptions.

Best foods: Nyjer, Hulled sunflower.
In Washington's winter: Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east.

Full diet breakdown for pine siskins · Best feeder for pine siskins

Frequently asked

Are pine siskins in Washington year-round?

Yes. Pine Siskins are year-round residents in Washington.

When do pine siskins nest in Washington?

Nesting in Washington typically runs April–June, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 13 days.

What native plants attract pine siskins in Washington?

Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine are native plants in Washington that provide food or cover for pine siskins.

Other backyard birds in Washington

Black-capped Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren House Finch Purple Finch Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Red-winged Blackbird Evening Grosbeak Common Redpoll Gray Catbird Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Yellow-rumped Warbler Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Steller's Jay Black-billed Magpie Canada Jay Mountain Chickadee Chestnut-backed Chickadee Bushtit Pygmy Nuthatch Anna's Hummingbird Black-chinned Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Lesser Goldfinch Cassin's Finch Spotted Towhee California Quail Western Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe Bewick's Wren White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Varied Thrush Violet-green Swallow Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Bullock's Oriole Eurasian Collared-Dove

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.