Band-tailed Pigeons in Oregon
When band-tailed pigeons are present in Oregon, when they nest, which native Oregon plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–9b yard.
- Status in Oregon
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- April–August
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9b
When to expect band-tailed pigeons in Oregon
Band-tailed Pigeons live in Oregon all year. Mild, rainy winters in the Willamette Valley; cold, snowy winters east of the Cascades. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades; high desert to the east.
Nesting in Oregon
Across Oregon, band-tailed pigeons typically nest from April–August. Plan around that window: March for setup, August for clean-out.
Dry summers west of the Cascades; hot days in the high desert.
- Band-tailed Pigeons don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, chokecherry, red-osier dogwood for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.
Native Oregon plants that attract band-tailed pigeons
Of the regional native plants we track for Oregon, these 8 provide food or cover band-tailed pigeons use:
Red fruit heads hang on through 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.
Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit.
Saskatoon berries ripen in early summer.
Tart red fruit that persists into winter.
Feeding band-tailed pigeons through the Oregon year
- Top foods: Cracked corn, Black-oil sunflower (on platforms).
- In Oregon's winter: Mild, rainy winters in the Willamette Valley; cold, snowy winters east of the Cascades.
Full diet breakdown for band-tailed pigeons · Best feeder for band-tailed pigeons
Frequently asked
Are band-tailed pigeons in Oregon year-round?
Yes. Band-tailed Pigeons are year-round residents in Oregon.
When do band-tailed pigeons nest in Oregon?
Nesting in Oregon typically runs April–August, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 1–2 eggs, incubated for 18–20 days.
What native plants attract band-tailed pigeons in Oregon?
Smooth sumac, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Highbush cranberry, Rocky Mountain juniper, Golden currant, Western serviceberry, Buffaloberry are native plants in Oregon that provide food or cover for band-tailed pigeons.
Band-tailed Pigeons in other regions
Other backyard birds in Oregon
Sources
- Band-tailed Pigeon — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Band-tailed Pigeon life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Band-tailed Pigeon — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Oregon
- 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.