Mountain Chickadees in Oregon
When mountain chickadees are present in Oregon, when they nest, which native Oregon plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–9b yard.
- Status in Oregon
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9b
- Nest box
- 1 1/8 in hole, 4 × 4 in floor, 5–15 ft
When to expect mountain chickadees in Oregon
Mountain Chickadees live in Oregon all year. Mild, rainy winters in the Willamette Valley; cold, snowy winters east of the Cascades. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward pine and fir seeds.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades; high desert to the east.
Nesting in Oregon
Across Oregon, mountain chickadees typically nest from May–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.
Dry summers west of the Cascades; hot days in the high desert.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before April — 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 Oregon plants that attract mountain chickadees
Of the regional native plants we track for Oregon, these 8 provide food or cover mountain chickadees use:
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
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.
Acorns and a rich insect community in the Pacific Northwest.
Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees.
Feeding mountain chickadees through the Oregon year
Mountain Chickadees drop to lower-elevation towns in winter and readily use nest boxes.
- Best foods: Black-oil sunflower, Suet, Peanut hearts.
- In Oregon's winter: Mild, rainy winters in the Willamette Valley; cold, snowy winters east of the Cascades.
Full diet breakdown for mountain chickadees · Best feeder for mountain chickadees
Frequently asked
Are mountain chickadees in Oregon year-round?
Yes. Mountain Chickadees are year-round residents in Oregon.
When do mountain chickadees nest in Oregon?
Nesting in Oregon typically runs May–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 5–9 eggs, incubated for 14 days.
What native plants attract mountain chickadees in Oregon?
Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush, Oregon white oak, Douglas fir are native plants in Oregon 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 Oregon
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 — Oregon
- 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.