Purple Finchs in Washington
When purple 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
- May–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
- Range note
- West of the Cascades.
When to expect purple finches in Washington
Purple Finchs live in Washington all year — west of the Cascades. 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 tree seeds (ash, elm, tulip poplar); black-oil sunflower at feeders.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades, semi-arid shrub-steppe to the east.
Nesting in Washington
Across Washington, purple finches typically nest from May–July. Nest site: cup nest in conifers, usually well out on a branch. Females lay 2–7 eggs, incubate for 13 days, and young leave the nest after 13–14 days.
Dry, sunny summers west of the Cascades; hot in the Columbia Basin.
- Purple 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 July.
Native Washington plants that attract purple finches
Of the regional native plants we track for Washington, these 8 provide food or cover purple 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 purple finches through the Washington year
Purple finches are irregular winter visitors south of their breeding range — numbers swing year to year with northern cone and seed crops.
- 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 purple finches · Best feeder for purple finches
Frequently asked
Are purple finches in Washington year-round?
Yes. Purple Finchs are year-round residents in Washington. West of the Cascades.
When do purple finches nest in Washington?
Nesting in Washington typically runs May–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 2–7 eggs, incubated for 13 days.
What native plants attract purple 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 purple finches.
Purple Finchs in other regions
Other backyard birds in Washington
Sources
- Purple Finch — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Purple Finch life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Purple 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.