Mountain Chickadees in Washington
When mountain chickadees are present in Washington, when they nest, which native Washington plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–9a yard.
- Status in Washington
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
- Nest box
- 1 1/8 in hole, 4 × 4 in floor, 5–15 ft
When to expect mountain chickadees in Washington
Mountain Chickadees live in Washington all year. Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east. 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, semi-arid shrub-steppe to the east.
Nesting in Washington
Across Washington, 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, sunny summers west of the Cascades; hot in the Columbia Basin.
- 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 Washington plants that attract mountain chickadees
Of the regional native plants we track for Washington, 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 Washington year
Mountain Chickadees drop to lower-elevation towns in winter and readily use nest boxes.
- Best foods: Black-oil sunflower, Suet, Peanut hearts.
- In Washington's winter: Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east.
Full diet breakdown for mountain chickadees · Best feeder for mountain chickadees
Frequently asked
Are mountain chickadees in Washington year-round?
Yes. Mountain Chickadees are year-round residents in Washington.
When do mountain chickadees nest in Washington?
Nesting in Washington 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 Washington?
Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush, Oregon white oak, Douglas fir are native plants in Washington 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 Washington
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 — Washington
- 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.