Birds to Look For This Winter: Finch Forecast Breakdown 2025–2026

Each fall, the Finch Research Network’s Winter Finch Forecast offers birders across North America a glimpse of what to expect from our most colourful winter visitors.

Because winter finches follow the food, cone and seed crops in the boreal forest largely determine who will stay north and who will head our way.

This year, poor cone and birch crops across much of central and eastern Canada could mean exciting news for birders in southern Ontario: we’re likely to see a strong movement of several finch species this winter.

Let’s take a look at who might visit your feeders this season and how to welcome them.

Pine Grosbeak. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

1. Pine Grosbeaks

Expect a small to moderate flight southward into southern Ontario and Quebec. Food shortages across the boreal, especially a poor Mountain Ash crop, will push some birds toward urban areas where they’ll happily snack on ornamental crabapples and Mountain Ash berries.
🪶 At feeders: Offer black oil sunflower seeds.

Purple Finch. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

2. Purple Finches

Most Purple Finches will move south out of eastern Canada, with some reaching as far as the southern U.S. Their numbers are already strong this year, thanks to abundant spruce budworm outbreaks during breeding season.
🪶 At feeders: Black oil sunflower and Finch Blend are top choices.

Common Redpoll. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

3. Redpolls

A strong Redpoll flight is expected from east of Lake Superior through the Great Lakes and Maritimes. Birch and alder crops are poor across northern Quebec, forcing these lively finches south once snow covers the fields.
🪶 At feeders: Nyjer® seed and black oil sunflower.
Tip: Try a tray feeder or weedy patch nearby, they love foraging close to the ground.

Red Crossbill. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

4. Red Crossbills

Look for moderate numbers in Algonquin Park and the upper Great Lakes. Type 12 Red Crossbills should remain in the Northeast’s healthy conifer forests, with a few wandering south later in winter as cone supplies dwindle.
🪶 At feeders: They’re harder to attract but may visit if you have conifers or feeders stocked with sunflower seed.

5. White-winged Crossbills

This winter, the “Crossbill Pendulum” has swung west. An excellent spruce crop from Manitoba through Alaska will keep most flocks there, though some may drift into the Maritimes and New England.
🪶 At feeders: Occasionally visit seed feeders near spruces.

Evening Grosbeak. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

6. Evening Grosbeaks

Budworm outbreaks provided excellent breeding conditions, so a moderate southward flight is expected, especially from northwestern Ontario. Watch for flocks moving through forest edges and towns.
🪶 At feeders: Sunflower seeds, safflower, and Bark Butter Bits are favourites. They love hopper or tray feeders that accommodate groups.

How to Prepare Your Feeders

• Keep feeders clean and stocked with fresh seed.

• Offer Nyjer®, Finch Blend, Bark Butter®, and sunflower chips to appeal to a variety of winter finches.

• Add a heated bird bath for fresh water during freezes — a magnet for thirsty migrants.

This could be the most exciting winter for finch fans since 2020–2021, so keep an eye on your feeders, grab your binoculars, and enjoy the colour and presence of these boreal visitors!

And don't forget to share your photos with us! We can't wait to see. 

Warmly, 

Heather