Mountain Chickadees in Wyoming
When mountain chickadees are present in Wyoming, when they nest, which native Wyoming plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–5b yard.
- Status in Wyoming
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–5b
- Nest box
- 1 1/8 in hole, 4 × 4 in floor, 5–15 ft
When to expect mountain chickadees in Wyoming
Mountain Chickadees live in Wyoming all year. Cold, very windy winters. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward pine and fir seeds.
Semi-arid high plains and basins with major mountain ranges; most towns lie above 5,000 ft.
Nesting in Wyoming
Across Wyoming, 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.
Short, warm summers with cool nights.
- 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 Wyoming plants that attract mountain chickadees
Of the regional native plants we track for Wyoming, these 8 provide food or cover mountain chickadees use:
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in 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.
Acorns for jays and woodpeckers across the southern Rockies.
Feeding mountain chickadees through the Wyoming year
Mountain Chickadees drop to lower-elevation towns in winter and readily use nest boxes.
- Best foods: Black-oil sunflower, Suet, Peanut hearts.
- In Wyoming's winter: Cold, very windy winters.
Full diet breakdown for mountain chickadees · Best feeder for mountain chickadees
Frequently asked
Are mountain chickadees in Wyoming year-round?
Yes. Mountain Chickadees are year-round residents in Wyoming.
When do mountain chickadees nest in Wyoming?
Nesting in Wyoming 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 Wyoming?
Bur oak, New England aster, Tall goldenrod, Chokecherry, Common hackberry, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine, Gambel oak are native plants in Wyoming 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 Wyoming
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 — Wyoming
- 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.