Birdhouses for Yukon
11 cavity-nesting birds breed in Yukon. The first starts nesting in April, so the box season opens in March.
Local conditions
- Growing zones
- Canada 0a–1b
- Winter
- Long, dark winters well below −20°F.
- Summer
- Short summers with nearly 24-hour daylight.
- Box nesters
- 11 (6 year-round residents)
- Hole sizes needed
- 9 distinct
Subarctic continental with mountains, boreal forest and Arctic tundra in the north.
Box calendar for Yukon
| Bird | Status | Hole | Height | Up by | Nesting | Clean out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Kestrel | Summer breeder | 3 in | 10–30 ft | March | April–June | July |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | Year-round resident | 2 1/2 in | 10–20 ft | March | April–June | July |
| Black-capped Chickadee | Year-round resident | 1 1/8 in round | 5–15 ft | April | May–July | August |
| Downy Woodpecker | Year-round resident | 1 1/4 in round | 5–20 ft, box packed with wood shavings | April | May–June | July |
| Hairy Woodpecker | Year-round resident | 1 1/2 in round | 8–20 ft, box packed with wood shavings | April | May–June | July |
| Northern Flicker | Summer breeder | 2 1/2 in | 6–20 ft | April | May–June | July |
| Red-breasted Nuthatch | Year-round resident | 1 1/4 in | 5–15 ft | May | June–June | July |
| Tree Swallow | Summer breeder | 1 1/2 in | 5–10 ft | May | June–June | July |
| Mountain Chickadee | Year-round resident | 1 1/8 in | 5–15 ft | May | June–July | August |
| Mountain Bluebird | Summer breeder | 1 9/16 in | 5–10 ft | May | June–July | August |
| Violet-green Swallow | Summer breeder | 1 1/2 in | 8–15 ft | May | June–July | August |
Nesting windows are shifted from each species' mid-latitude season by Yukon's latitude; year-round residents may also roost in boxes over winter, so clean them out in autumn and leave them up.
Bird guides for Yukon
Frequently asked
When should I put up a birdhouse in Yukon?
By March for the earliest local nester, the American Kestrel, which starts nesting around April.
Which birds use nest boxes in Yukon?
American Kestrel, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Tree Swallow, Mountain Chickadee, Mountain Bluebird, Violet-green Swallow.
What hole size should a Yukon birdhouse have?
It depends on the bird: the 11 local box nesters use 9 different hole sizes. See the table for each species.
Sources
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
- 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.