How to attract western kingbirds to your yard
Western Kingbirds respond to four things: the right food, the right plants, water and safe nesting cover. Here is what each means for this particular bird, drawn from its range across 21 states and provinces.
First: is it in your area, and when?
You can only attract a bird that passes through or lives near you, so start with timing. It arrives only to breed in 21, such as Alberta, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho and 15 more, so set up before spring arrival.
Plant what western kingbirds use
These native plants are tied to the Western Kingbird in our regional plant lists (Audubon Native Plants and state sources). The count shows how many states or provinces list the plant for this bird — higher means it works across more of the range. Pick the ones native where you live.
| Plant | Type | States | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chokecherry Prunus virginiana | Shrub | 17 | Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load. |
| Tall goldenrod Solidago altissima | Perennial | 16 | Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter. |
| Rabbitbrush Ericameria nauseosa | Shrub | 14 | Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows. |
| Ponderosa pine Pinus ponderosa | Tree | 12 | Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat. |
| Bur oak Quercus macrocarpa | Tree | 10 | Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load. |
| American elderberry Sambucus canadensis | Shrub | 9 | Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species. |
| Douglas fir Pseudotsuga menziesii | Tree | 9 | Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees. |
| New England aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae | Perennial | 9 | Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows. |
| Paper birch Betula papyrifera | Tree | 9 | Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter. |
| Black cherry Prunus serotina | Tree | 8 | Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees. |
Your list covers 3 plant layers (shrub, perennial, tree). Layering matters: mixing shrub, perennial, tree gives western kingbirds food, perches and cover at different heights. Leave seed heads and fruit standing into winter instead of cutting back in fall.
Offer the food it actually eats
Large flying insects; some fruit in late summer.
- Warm months
- Grasshoppers, bees, wasps, beetles and flies
- Cold months
- Migrates to Mexico and Central America
- At feeders
- None — open country with wires and fences is the draw
Feeder style matters as much as food: shallow bird bath (1–2 in deep) is the first choice for this bird. Hunts from fence wires over open lawns and pastures and fearlessly chases hawks off its territory. Feeder guide →
Give it a place to nest
Natural site: Bulky cup on a limb, utility pole or building ledge.
It does not use nest boxes, so the way to host a nest is cover: keep dense native shrubs, vines or trees of the kind listed above, and avoid pruning them during the nesting season.
- Clutch
- 3–5 eggs
- Incubation
- 18–19 days
- Nestling period
- 16–17 days
- Broods per year
- 1 per season
Timing shifts with latitude: nesting begins around April in Arizona but not until June in Wyoming. Don't trim shrubs or clean boxes during those months.
Water, safety and patience
- A shallow bath (1–2 in deep) with a rough bottom, refreshed every 2–3 days; a dripper or heater makes it far more attractive in summer heat and winter freeze.
- Place feeders within 3 ft of windows or more than 30 ft away to cut window strikes, and keep cats indoors.
- Skip pesticides — most backyard birds feed insects to their nestlings, even seed-eaters.
- Give it time. New feeders and plantings can take days to weeks to be found; a summer breeder won't appear until it returns in spring.
Frequently asked
What attracts western kingbirds to a yard?
Food they actually eat (none — open country with wires and fences is the draw), native plants such as Chokecherry, Tall goldenrod, Rabbitbrush, clean water and suitable nesting cover: bulky cup on a limb, utility pole or building ledge.
What plants attract western kingbirds?
Across the Western Kingbird's range, the native plants most often tied to it are Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), Tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima), Rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa), Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa). Choose the ones native to your state.
When should I set up my yard for nesting western kingbirds?
Nesting starts around April in Arizona and as late as June in Wyoming. Have cover, water ready a month before.
Sources
- Western Kingbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western Kingbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western Kingbird — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- 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.