Yukon · Year-round resident

Rock Pigeons in Yukon

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

Pigeons and doves (Columbidae)Rock PigeonColumba livia

Status in Yukon: Year-round resident
Nesting window: February–December
Broods: Up to 6 per season
Hardiness zones: Canada 0a–1b

When to expect rock pigeons in Yukon

Rock Pigeons live in Yukon all year. Long, dark winters well below −20°F. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them.

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

Nesting in Yukon

Across Yukon, rock pigeons typically nest from February–December. Plan around that window: January for setup, December for clean-out.

Short summers with nearly 24-hour daylight.

Rock Pigeons don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, willow (bebb), dwarf birch for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after December.

Native Yukon plants that attract rock pigeons

Of the regional native plants we track for Yukon, these 4 provide food or cover rock pigeons use:

Paper birch

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

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.

Fireweed

Chamaenerion angustifolium · Perennial

Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.

Feeding rock pigeons through the Yukon year

Top foods: None recommended — flocks crowd out other feeder birds.
In Yukon's winter: Long, dark winters well below −20°F.

Full diet breakdown for rock pigeons · Best feeder for rock pigeons

Frequently asked

Are rock pigeons in Yukon year-round?

Yes. Rock Pigeons are year-round residents in Yukon.

When do rock pigeons nest in Yukon?

Nesting in Yukon typically runs February–December, with up to 6 per season. Clutches are 1–3 eggs, incubated for 17–19 days.

What native plants attract rock pigeons in Yukon?

Paper birch, Willow (Bebb), Dwarf birch, Fireweed are native plants in Yukon that provide food or cover for rock pigeons.

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 Merlin 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

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.