Eastern Kingbirds in Utah
When eastern kingbirds are present in Utah, when they nest, which native Utah plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–9a yard.
- Status in Utah
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
When to expect eastern kingbirds in Utah
Eastern Kingbirds are summer residents in Utah, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on bees, wasps and beetles.
Semi-arid to arid, with the Wasatch Range rising above the Great Basin and red-rock canyon country in the south.
Nesting in Utah
Across Utah, eastern kingbirds typically nest from May–July. Nest site: cup on horizontal tree limbs, often over water. Females lay 2–5 eggs, incubate for 14–17 days, and young leave the nest after 16–17 days.
Hot, dry summers.
- Eastern Kingbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, virginia creeper, chokecherry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Utah plants that attract eastern kingbirds
Of the regional native plants we track for Utah, these 8 provide food or cover eastern kingbirds use:
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Blue fruit on red stems in early fall.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.
Acorns for jays and woodpeckers across the southern Rockies.
Feeding eastern kingbirds through the Utah year
Kingbirds fearlessly chase hawks and crows; they perch on fences over open fields.
- Best foods: .
- In Utah's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are eastern kingbirds in Utah year-round?
No. Eastern Kingbirds are summer breeders in Utah and leave for the winter.
When do eastern kingbirds nest in Utah?
Nesting in Utah typically runs May–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 2–5 eggs, incubated for 14–17 days.
What native plants attract eastern kingbirds in Utah?
Smooth sumac, Virginia creeper, Tall goldenrod, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine, Gambel oak are native plants in Utah that provide food or cover for eastern kingbirds.
Eastern Kingbirds in other regions
Other backyard birds in Utah
Sources
- Eastern Kingbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Kingbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Kingbird — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Utah
- 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.