Western Tanagers in Yukon
When western tanagers 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
- June–July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 0a–1b
When to expect western tanagers in Yukon
Western Tanagers 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, western tanagers typically nest from June–July. Plan around that window: May for setup, July for clean-out.
Short summers with nearly 24-hour daylight.
- Western Tanagers don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, pin cherry, chokecherry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Yukon plants that attract western tanagers
Of the regional native plants we track for Yukon, these 8 provide food or cover western tanagers use:
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.
Saskatoon berries ripen in early summer.
Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.
Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.
Feeding western tanagers through the Yukon year
- Top foods: Orange halves, Grape jelly (during migration).
- In Yukon's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for western tanagers · Best feeder for western tanagers
Frequently asked
Are western tanagers in Yukon year-round?
No. Western Tanagers are summer breeders in Yukon and leave for the winter.
When do western tanagers nest in Yukon?
Nesting in Yukon typically runs June–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 13 days.
What native plants attract western tanagers in Yukon?
Paper birch, Pin cherry, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Highbush cranberry, Western serviceberry, White spruce, Tamarack are native plants in Yukon that provide food or cover for western tanagers.
Western Tanagers in other regions
Other backyard birds in Yukon
Sources
- Western Tanager — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western Tanager life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western Tanager — 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.