American Robins in Washington
When American are present in Washington, when they nest, which native Washington plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–9a yard.
- Status in Washington
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- April–July
- Broods
- 2–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
When to expect American in Washington
American Robins live in Washington all year. Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward holly, juniper, sumac and crabapple fruit.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades, semi-arid shrub-steppe to the east.
Nesting in Washington
Across Washington, American typically nest from April–July. Nest site: mud-lined cup on a branch fork or ledge; uses open-front nest shelves. Females lay 3–5 eggs, incubate for 12–14 days, and young leave the nest after 13 days.
Dry, sunny summers west of the Cascades; hot in the Columbia Basin.
- American Robins don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, paper birch, chokecherry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Washington plants that attract American
Of the regional native plants we track for Washington, these 8 provide food or cover American use:
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
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.
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.
Feeding American through the Washington year
Robins rarely eat seed. They come for water, lawn worms and winter fruit; many stay north all winter in flocks.
- Best foods: Mealworms, Chopped apple and berries, Suet nuggets.
- In Washington's winter: Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east.
Frequently asked
Are American in Washington year-round?
Yes. American Robins are year-round residents in Washington.
When do American nest in Washington?
Nesting in Washington typically runs April–July, with 2–3 per season. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.
What native plants attract American in Washington?
Smooth sumac, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Highbush cranberry, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine are native plants in Washington that provide food or cover for American.
American Robins in other regions
Other backyard birds in Washington
Sources
- American Robin — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Robin life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Robin — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Washington
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- 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.