North Dakota · Winter visitor

Golden-crowned Kinglets in North Dakota

When golden-crowned kinglets are present in North Dakota, when they nest, which native North Dakota plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–4b yard.

Kinglets (Regulidae)Golden-crowned KingletRegulus satrapa
Status in North Dakota
Winter visitor
Nesting window
Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones
USDA 3a–4b

When to expect golden-crowned kinglets in North Dakota

In North Dakota, golden-crowned kinglets are winter visitors rather than breeders. Severe winters to −30°F; Snow Buntings and redpolls arrive from the Arctic.

Continental northern prairie with prairie-pothole wetlands and the Missouri River breaks.

Native North Dakota plants that attract golden-crowned kinglets

Of the regional native plants we track for North Dakota, these 8 provide food or cover golden-crowned kinglets use:

Eastern red cedar
Juniperus virginiana · Tree

Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.

Bur oak
Quercus macrocarpa · Tree

Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.

Black cherry
Prunus serotina · Tree

Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.

American elderberry
Sambucus canadensis · Shrub

Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.

New England aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae · Perennial

Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.

Tall goldenrod
Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Paper birch
Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Sugar maple
Acer saccharum · Tree

Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.

Feeding golden-crowned kinglets through the North Dakota year

  • Top foods: Suet, Suet dough.
  • In North Dakota's winter: Severe winters to −30°F; Snow Buntings and redpolls arrive from the Arctic.

Full diet breakdown for golden-crowned kinglets · Best feeder for golden-crowned kinglets

Frequently asked

Are golden-crowned kinglets in North Dakota year-round?

No. Golden-crowned Kinglets are winter visitors in North Dakota and do not typically nest there.

What native plants attract golden-crowned kinglets in North Dakota?

Eastern red cedar, Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, New England aster, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Sugar maple are native plants in North Dakota that provide food or cover for golden-crowned kinglets.

Golden-crowned Kinglets in other regions

Other backyard birds in North Dakota

Northern CardinalEastern BluebirdBlack-capped ChickadeePurple MartinDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerAmerican GoldfinchWhite-breasted NuthatchHouse WrenHouse FinchRuby-throated HummingbirdMourning DoveAmerican RobinDark-eyed JuncoSong SparrowChipping SparrowNorthern FlickerRed-headed WoodpeckerRed-breasted NuthatchCommon GrackleRed-winged BlackbirdBaltimore OrioleOrchard OrioleRose-breasted GrosbeakEvening GrosbeakPine SiskinCommon RedpollIndigo BuntingGray CatbirdBrown ThrasherCedar WaxwingTree SwallowBarn SwallowEastern PhoebeChimney SwiftEastern Screech-OwlGreat Crested FlycatcherEastern KingbirdAmerican Tree SparrowHouse SparrowEuropean StarlingBlack-billed MagpieSpotted TowheeMountain BluebirdSay's PhoebeWhite-crowned SparrowBlack-headed GrosbeakLazuli BuntingBullock's OrioleEurasian Collared-DoveAmerican CrowCommon RavenCooper's HawkSharp-shinned HawkRed-tailed HawkGreat Horned OwlAmerican KestrelWood DuckWild TurkeyMallardGreat Blue HeronBelted KingfisherEastern MeadowlarkBrown-headed CowbirdRed CrossbillField SparrowGray CatbirdWestern TanagerLark SparrowHooded MerganserYellow WarblerCommon YellowthroatAmerican RedstartOvenbirdYellow-breasted ChatRed-eyed VireoWarbling VireoEastern Wood-PeweeLeast FlycatcherWestern KingbirdCliff SwallowNorthern Rough-winged SwallowBank SwallowCommon NighthawkEastern Whip-poor-willCanada GooseAmerican CootKilldeerSpotted SandpiperAmerican WoodcockGreen HeronGreat EgretBlack-crowned Night HeronTurkey VultureOspreyBald EagleRed-shouldered HawkMerlinPeregrine FalconNorthern Saw-whet OwlBarn OwlBurrowing OwlSavannah SparrowHarris's SparrowVesper SparrowSnow BuntingLapland LongspurHorned LarkDickcisselBlue GrosbeakCommon RedpollHoary RedpollWhite-winged CrossbillGray-crowned Rosy-FinchBohemian WaxwingYellow-billed CuckooBobolinkYellow-headed BlackbirdBrewer's BlackbirdRock Pigeon

Sources

  1. Golden-crowned Kinglet — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Golden-crowned Kinglet life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Golden-crowned Kinglet — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — North Dakota
  5. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  6. 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.