Indigo Buntings in North Dakota
When indigo buntings 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.
- Status in North Dakota
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–August
- Broods
- 1–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–4b
When to expect indigo buntings in North Dakota
Indigo Buntings are summer residents in North Dakota, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on caterpillars, grasshoppers and beetles.
Continental northern prairie with prairie-pothole wetlands and the Missouri River breaks.
Nesting in North Dakota
Across North Dakota, indigo buntings typically nest from June–August. Nest site: cup in dense shrubs near the ground. Females lay 3–4 eggs, incubate for 12–14 days, and young leave the nest after 8–14 days.
Short, warm summers with a peak nesting season in June.
- Indigo Buntings don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as bur oak, black cherry, american elderberry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.
Native North Dakota plants that attract indigo buntings
Of the regional native plants we track for North Dakota, these 8 provide food or cover indigo buntings use:
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Feeding indigo buntings through the North Dakota year
Migrates at night by the stars; males sing from utility lines along brushy edges all summer.
- Best foods: Nyjer, Millet, Hulled sunflower.
- In North Dakota's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for indigo buntings · Best feeder for indigo buntings
Frequently asked
Are indigo buntings in North Dakota year-round?
No. Indigo Buntings are summer breeders in North Dakota and leave for the winter.
When do indigo buntings nest in North Dakota?
Nesting in North Dakota typically runs June–August, with 1–3 per season. Clutches are 3–4 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.
What native plants attract indigo buntings in North Dakota?
Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, New England aster, Little bluestem are native plants in North Dakota that provide food or cover for indigo buntings.
Indigo Buntings in other regions
Other backyard birds in North Dakota
Sources
- Indigo Bunting — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Indigo Bunting life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Indigo Bunting — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — North Dakota
- 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.