Bushtits in Oregon
When bushtits 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
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9b
When to expect bushtits in Oregon
Bushtits 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 insect eggs; some suet.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades; high desert to the east.
Nesting in Oregon
Across Oregon, bushtits typically nest from March–June. Nest site: hanging sock-shaped nest of spider silk and moss. Females lay 4–10 eggs, incubate for 12–13 days, and young leave the nest after 14–15 days.
Dry summers west of the Cascades; hot days in the high desert.
- Bushtits 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 bushtits
Of the regional native plants we track for Oregon, these 8 provide food or cover bushtits 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 bushtits through the Oregon year
Flocks of 10–40 sweep through yards and mob suet feeders for a few minutes before moving on.
- Best foods: Suet.
- In Oregon's winter: Mild, rainy winters in the Willamette Valley; cold, snowy winters east of the Cascades.
Frequently asked
Are bushtits in Oregon year-round?
Yes. Bushtits are year-round residents in Oregon.
When do bushtits nest in Oregon?
Nesting in Oregon typically runs March–June, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 4–10 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days.
What native plants attract bushtits 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 bushtits.
Bushtits in other regions
Other backyard birds in Oregon
Sources
- Bushtit — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Bushtit life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Bushtit — 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.