Say's Phoebes in Yukon
When Say's phoebes are present in Yukon, when they nest, which native Yukon plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 0a–1b yard.
- Status in Yukon
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–June
- Broods
- 1–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 0a–1b
When to expect Say's phoebes in Yukon
Say's Phoebes are summer residents in Yukon, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on bees, wasps and beetles.
Subarctic continental with mountains, boreal forest and Arctic tundra in the north.
Nesting in Yukon
Across Yukon, Say's phoebes typically nest from May–June. Nest site: cup on a sheltered ledge. Females lay 3–7 eggs, incubate for 12–14 days, and young leave the nest after 14–16 days.
Short summers with nearly 24-hour daylight.
- Say's Phoebes 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 June.
Native Yukon plants that attract Say's phoebes
Of the regional native plants we track for Yukon, these 6 provide food or cover Say's phoebes use:
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.
Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.
Feeding Say's phoebes through the Yukon year
Nests on ledges under eaves in dry open country; an early spring arrival.
- Best foods: .
- In Yukon's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are Say's phoebes in Yukon year-round?
No. Say's Phoebes are summer breeders in Yukon and leave for the winter.
When do Say's phoebes nest in Yukon?
Nesting in Yukon typically runs May–June, with 1–3 per season. Clutches are 3–7 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.
What native plants attract Say's phoebes in Yukon?
Paper birch, Chokecherry, White spruce, Tamarack, Willow (Bebb), Dwarf birch are native plants in Yukon that provide food or cover for Say's phoebes.
Say's Phoebes in other regions
Other backyard birds in Yukon
Sources
- Say's Phoebe — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Say's Phoebe life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Say's Phoebe — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Yukon
- 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.