Black Phoebes in Oregon
When black phoebes 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
- March–June
- Broods
- 1–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9b
When to expect black phoebes in Oregon
Black Phoebes 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: their winter diet shifts toward insects.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades; high desert to the east.
Nesting in Oregon
Across Oregon, black phoebes typically nest from March–June. Nest site: mud cup on a wall or bridge near water. Females lay 3–6 eggs, incubate for 15–17 days, and young leave the nest after 18–21 days.
Dry summers west of the Cascades; hot days in the high desert.
- Black Phoebes don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, chokecherry, ponderosa pine for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after June.
Native Oregon plants that attract black phoebes
Of the regional native plants we track for Oregon, these 8 provide food or cover black phoebes use:
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Acorns and a rich insect community in the Pacific Northwest.
Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Feeding black phoebes through the Oregon year
Always near water; builds mud nests under bridges and eaves.
- Best foods: .
- In Oregon's winter: Mild, rainy winters in the Willamette Valley; cold, snowy winters east of the Cascades.
Full diet breakdown for black phoebes · Best feeder for black phoebes
Frequently asked
Are black phoebes in Oregon year-round?
Yes. Black Phoebes are year-round residents in Oregon.
When do black phoebes nest in Oregon?
Nesting in Oregon typically runs March–June, with 1–3 per season. Clutches are 3–6 eggs, incubated for 15–17 days.
What native plants attract black phoebes in Oregon?
Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush, Oregon white oak, Douglas fir, Willow (Bebb) are native plants in Oregon that provide food or cover for black phoebes.
Black Phoebes in other regions
Other backyard birds in Oregon
Sources
- Black Phoebe — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black Phoebe life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black Phoebe — 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.