Oregon · Summer breeder

Ash-throated Flycatchers in Oregon

When ash-throated flycatchers are present in Oregon, when they nest, which native Oregon plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–9b yard.

Tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae)Ash-throated FlycatcherMyiarchus cinerascens

Status in Oregon: Summer breeder
Nesting window: April–July
Broods: 1–2 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 4b–9b
Nest box: 1 1/2 in hole, 6 × 6 in floor, 5–20 ft

When to expect ash-throated flycatchers in Oregon

Ash-throated Flycatchers are summer residents in Oregon, arriving shortly before nesting begins in April and leaving after the young are independent.

Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades; high desert to the east.

Nesting in Oregon

Across Oregon, ash-throated flycatchers typically nest from April–July. Plan around that window: March for setup, July for clean-out.

Dry summers west of the Cascades; hot days in the high desert.

Have boxes cleaned and mounted before March — ash-throated flycatchers begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
Use a 1 1/2 in entrance on a 6 × 6 in floor, mounted 5–20 ft.
Fit a pole baffle or hole guard; ventilation gaps and drainage holes are essential.
Clean out old nests after each brood and again after July.

Native Oregon plants that attract ash-throated flycatchers

Of the regional native plants we track for Oregon, these 8 provide food or cover ash-throated flycatchers use:

Smooth sumac

Rhus glabra · Shrub

Red fruit heads hang on through winter.

Tall goldenrod

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Paper birch

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Red-osier dogwood

Cornus sericea · Shrub

White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.

Highbush cranberry

Viburnum trilobum · Shrub

Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.

Rocky Mountain juniper

Juniperus scopulorum · Tree

Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.

Ponderosa pine

Pinus ponderosa · Tree

Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.

Feeding ash-throated flycatchers through the Oregon year

Top foods: None — a nest box in dry scrub is the draw.
In Oregon's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for ash-throated flycatchers · Best feeder for ash-throated flycatchers

Frequently asked

Are ash-throated flycatchers in Oregon year-round?

No. Ash-throated Flycatchers are summer breeders in Oregon and leave for the winter.

When do ash-throated flycatchers nest in Oregon?

Nesting in Oregon typically runs April–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 2–7 eggs, incubated for 15 days.

What native plants attract ash-throated flycatchers in Oregon?

Smooth sumac, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Highbush cranberry, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine are native plants in Oregon that provide food or cover for ash-throated flycatchers.

What size birdhouse hole do ash-throated flycatchers need?

1 1/2 in, with a floor of 6 × 6 in mounted 5–20 ft.

Ash-throated Flycatchers in other regions

Arizona California Colorado Idaho Montana Nevada New Mexico Oklahoma Texas Utah Washington Wyoming

Other backyard birds in Oregon

Black-capped Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren House Finch Purple Finch Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Red-winged Blackbird Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Gray Catbird Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Yellow-rumped Warbler Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Steller's Jay Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay Black-billed Magpie Canada Jay Mountain Chickadee Chestnut-backed Chickadee Bushtit Oak Titmouse Juniper Titmouse Pygmy Nuthatch Anna's Hummingbird Black-chinned Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Lesser Goldfinch Cassin's Finch California Towhee Spotted Towhee California Quail Western Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe Black Phoebe Bewick's Wren White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Varied Thrush Violet-green Swallow Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Bullock's Oriole Eurasian Collared-Dove American Crow Common Raven Cooper's Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Great Horned Owl American Kestrel Wood Duck Wild Turkey Mallard Great Blue Heron Belted Kingfisher Brown-headed Cowbird Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Winter Wren Pine Grosbeak Red Crossbill Gray Catbird Western Tanager Lark Sparrow Green-tailed Towhee Clark's Nutcracker Western Screech-Owl Hooded Merganser Band-tailed Pigeon Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat Yellow-breasted Chat Orange-crowned Warbler Warbling Vireo Western Kingbird Cliff Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Bank Swallow Common Nighthawk Canada Goose American Coot Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper Green Heron Great Egret Black-crowned Night Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Merlin Peregrine Falcon Northern Saw-whet Owl Barn Owl Lewis's Woodpecker Black-backed Woodpecker White-headed Woodpecker Savannah Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Snow Bunting Lapland Longspur Horned Lark Bohemian Waxwing Bobolink Yellow-headed Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird Rock Pigeon

Sources

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.