Chestnut-backed Chickadees in Washington
When chestnut-backed chickadees are present in Washington, when they nest, which native Washington plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–9a yard.
- Status in Washington
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- April–June
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
- Nest box
- 1 1/8 in hole, 4 × 4 in floor, 5–15 ft
When to expect chestnut-backed chickadees in Washington
Chestnut-backed Chickadees live in Washington all year. Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward conifer seeds.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades, semi-arid shrub-steppe to the east.
Nesting in Washington
Across Washington, chestnut-backed chickadees typically nest from April–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.
Dry, sunny summers west of the Cascades; hot in the Columbia Basin.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before March — 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 Washington plants that attract chestnut-backed chickadees
Of the regional native plants we track for Washington, these 8 provide food or cover chestnut-backed chickadees use:
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
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.
Acorns and a rich insect community in the Pacific Northwest.
Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees.
Feeding chestnut-backed chickadees through the Washington year
A bird of wet Pacific conifer forest; forages high in Douglas fir and hemlock.
- Best foods: Black-oil sunflower, Suet.
- In Washington's winter: Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east.
Full diet breakdown for chestnut-backed chickadees · Best feeder for chestnut-backed chickadees
Frequently asked
Are chestnut-backed chickadees in Washington year-round?
Yes. Chestnut-backed Chickadees are year-round residents in Washington.
When do chestnut-backed chickadees nest in Washington?
Nesting in Washington typically runs April–June, with 1 per season. Clutches are 5–7 eggs, incubated for 12–18 days.
What native plants attract chestnut-backed chickadees in Washington?
Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush, Oregon white oak, Douglas fir are native plants in Washington 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 Washington
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 — Washington
- 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.