Mountain Chickadees in Montana
When mountain chickadees 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
- June–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–6a
- Nest box
- 1 1/8 in hole, 4 × 4 in floor, 5–15 ft
When to expect mountain chickadees in Montana
Mountain Chickadees 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 pine and fir seeds.
Continental — Rocky Mountain forest in the west, semi-arid Great Plains in the east.
Nesting in Montana
Across Montana, mountain chickadees typically nest from June–July. Nest site: cavity or nest box lined with fur. Females lay 5–9 eggs, incubate for 14 days, and young leave the nest after 18–21 days.
Warm, dry summers and a short growing season.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before May — mountain 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 July.
Native Montana plants that attract mountain chickadees
Of the regional native plants we track for Montana, these 8 provide food or cover mountain chickadees use:
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.
Sweet dry fruit on the branch all winter.
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.
Feeding mountain chickadees through the Montana year
Mountain Chickadees drop to lower-elevation towns in winter and readily use nest boxes.
- Best foods: Black-oil sunflower, Suet, Peanut hearts.
- In Montana's winter: Very cold winters on the plains, with chinook winds bringing sudden thaws.
Full diet breakdown for mountain chickadees · Best feeder for mountain chickadees
Frequently asked
Are mountain chickadees in Montana year-round?
Yes. Mountain Chickadees are year-round residents in Montana.
When do mountain chickadees nest in Montana?
Nesting in Montana typically runs June–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 5–9 eggs, incubated for 14 days.
What native plants attract mountain chickadees in Montana?
Bur oak, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Common hackberry, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush are native plants in Montana that provide food or cover for mountain chickadees.
What size birdhouse hole do mountain chickadees need?
1 1/8 in, with a floor of 4 × 4 in mounted 5–15 ft.
Mountain Chickadees in other regions
Other backyard birds in Montana
Sources
- Mountain Chickadee — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Mountain Chickadee life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Mountain Chickadee — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
- 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.