Chestnut-backed Chickadees in Montana
When chestnut-backed chickadees are present in Montana, when they nest, which native Montana plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–6a yard.
- Status in Montana
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- May–June
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–6a
- Nest box
- 1 1/8 in hole, 4 × 4 in floor, 5–15 ft
- Range note
- Far northwest.
When to expect chestnut-backed chickadees in Montana
Chestnut-backed Chickadees live in Montana all year — far northwest. Very cold winters on the plains, with chinook winds bringing sudden thaws. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward conifer seeds.
Continental — Rocky Mountain forest in the west, semi-arid Great Plains in the east.
Nesting in Montana
Across Montana, chestnut-backed chickadees typically nest from May–June. Nest site: cavity or nest box with a thick fur lining. Females lay 5–7 eggs, incubate for 12–18 days, and young leave the nest after 18–21 days.
Warm, dry summers and a short growing season.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before April — chestnut-backed chickadees begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
- Use a 1 1/8 in entrance on a 4 × 4 in floor, mounted 5–15 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 June.
Native Montana plants that attract chestnut-backed chickadees
Of the regional native plants we track for Montana, these 8 provide food or cover chestnut-backed chickadees use:
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Sweet dry fruit on the branch all winter.
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Feeding chestnut-backed chickadees through the Montana year
A bird of wet Pacific conifer forest; forages high in Douglas fir and hemlock.
- Best foods: Black-oil sunflower, Suet.
- In Montana's winter: Very cold winters on the plains, with chinook winds bringing sudden thaws.
Full diet breakdown for chestnut-backed chickadees · Best feeder for chestnut-backed chickadees
Frequently asked
Are chestnut-backed chickadees in Montana year-round?
Yes. Chestnut-backed Chickadees are year-round residents in Montana. Far northwest.
When do chestnut-backed chickadees nest in Montana?
Nesting in Montana typically runs May–June, with 1 per season. Clutches are 5–7 eggs, incubated for 12–18 days.
What native plants attract chestnut-backed chickadees in Montana?
Bur oak, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Common hackberry, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush are native plants in Montana that provide food or cover for chestnut-backed chickadees.
What size birdhouse hole do chestnut-backed chickadees need?
1 1/8 in, with a floor of 4 × 4 in mounted 5–15 ft.
Chestnut-backed Chickadees in other regions
Other backyard birds in Montana
Sources
- Chestnut-backed Chickadee — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Chestnut-backed Chickadee life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Chestnut-backed Chickadee — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Montana
- 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.