European Starlings in Montana
When Europeans 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
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–6a
When to expect Europeans in Montana
European Starlings live in Montana all year. 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 fruit, grain and suet.
Continental — Rocky Mountain forest in the west, semi-arid Great Plains in the east.
Nesting in Montana
Across Montana, Europeans typically nest from May–June. Nest site: cavities of any kind. Females lay 4–6 eggs, incubate for 12 days, and young leave the nest after 21–23 days.
Warm, dry summers and a short growing season.
- European Starlings don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, bur oak, paper birch for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after June.
Native Montana plants that attract Europeans
Of the regional native plants we track for Montana, these 8 provide food or cover Europeans use:
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
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.
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.
Sweet dry fruit on the branch all winter.
Feeding Europeans through the Montana year
Non-native; starlings take over woodpecker and bluebird cavities. Upside-down suet feeders deter them.
- Best foods: Suet, Cracked corn.
- In Montana's winter: Very cold winters on the plains, with chinook winds bringing sudden thaws.
Full diet breakdown for Europeans · Best feeder for Europeans
Frequently asked
Are Europeans in Montana year-round?
Yes. European Starlings are year-round residents in Montana.
When do Europeans nest in Montana?
Nesting in Montana typically runs May–June, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 4–6 eggs, incubated for 12 days.
What native plants attract Europeans in Montana?
Smooth sumac, Bur oak, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Highbush cranberry, Common hackberry are native plants in Montana that provide food or cover for Europeans.
European Starlings in other regions
Other backyard birds in Montana
Sources
- European Starling — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- European Starling life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- European Starling — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- 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.