Northern Saw-whet Owls in Arizona
When saw-whet owls are present in Arizona, when they nest, which native Arizona plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–10b yard.
- Status in Arizona
- Winter visitor
- Nesting window
- Does not typically nest here
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–10b
When to expect saw-whet owls in Arizona
In Arizona, saw-whet owls are winter visitors rather than breeders. Low deserts stay mild and host many wintering sparrows and hummingbirds; the high country gets snow.
Hot Sonoran and Mojave deserts in the south and west, with pine-oak sky islands and the Colorado Plateau rising above 7,000 ft.
Native Arizona plants that attract saw-whet owls
Of the regional native plants we track for Arizona, these 8 provide food or cover saw-whet owls use:
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in 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.
Acorns for jays and woodpeckers across the southern Rockies.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Feeding saw-whet owls through the Arizona year
- Top foods: None — a saw-whet box in dense conifers is the draw.
- In Arizona's winter: Low deserts stay mild and host many wintering sparrows and hummingbirds; the high country gets snow.
Full diet breakdown for saw-whet owls · Best feeder for saw-whet owls
Frequently asked
Are saw-whet owls in Arizona year-round?
No. Northern Saw-whet Owls are winter visitors in Arizona and do not typically nest there.
What native plants attract saw-whet owls in Arizona?
Black cherry, American elderberry, Tall goldenrod, Chokecherry, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine, Gambel oak, Rabbitbrush are native plants in Arizona that provide food or cover for saw-whet owls.
Northern Saw-whet Owls in other regions
Other backyard birds in Arizona
Sources
- Northern Saw-whet Owl — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Saw-whet Owl life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Saw-whet Owl — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Arizona
- 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.