California · Year-round resident

Northern Saw-whet Owls in California

When saw-whet owls are present in California, when they nest, which native California plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 5a–11a yard.

Owls (Strigidae)Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicus

Status in California: Year-round resident
Nesting window: February–June
Broods: 1–2 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 5a–11a
Nest box: 2 1/2 in hole, 6 × 6 in floor, 10–20 ft

When to expect saw-whet owls in California

Northern Saw-whet Owls live in California all year. Wet, mild winters are the green season — the busiest time at coastal feeders as sparrows and hummingbirds settle in. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them.

Mediterranean along the coast and Central Valley, alpine in the Sierra Nevada, and desert in the southeast.

Nesting in California

Across California, saw-whet owls typically nest from February–June. Plan around that window: January for setup, June for clean-out.

Dry summers with little rain from May to October; water and summer-blooming natives matter more than extra seed.

Have boxes cleaned and mounted before January — saw-whet owls begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
Use a 2 1/2 in entrance on a 6 × 6 in floor, mounted 10–20 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 June.

Native California plants that attract saw-whet owls

Of the regional native plants we track for California, these 8 provide food or cover saw-whet owls use:

Tall goldenrod

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Ponderosa pine

Pinus ponderosa · Tree

Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.

Rabbitbrush

Ericameria nauseosa · Shrub

Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.

Palo verde

Parkinsonia florida · Tree

Seed pods and insect-rich spring bloom.

Velvet mesquite

Prosopis velutina · Tree

Seed pods and cover for Verdins and quail.

Coast live oak

Quercus agrifolia · Tree

Acorns anchor Acorn Woodpecker granaries and scrub-jay caches.

Oregon white oak

Quercus garryana · Tree

Acorns and a rich insect community in the Pacific Northwest.

Feeding saw-whet owls through the California year

Top foods: None — a saw-whet box in dense conifers is the draw.
In California's winter: Wet, mild winters are the green season — the busiest time at coastal feeders as sparrows and hummingbirds settle in.

Full diet breakdown for saw-whet owls · Best feeder for saw-whet owls

Frequently asked

Are saw-whet owls in California year-round?

Yes. Northern Saw-whet Owls are year-round residents in California.

When do saw-whet owls nest in California?

Nesting in California typically runs February–June, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 4–7 eggs, incubated for 27–29 days.

What native plants attract saw-whet owls in California?

Tall goldenrod, Chokecherry, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush, Palo verde, Velvet mesquite, Coast live oak, Oregon white oak are native plants in California that provide food or cover for saw-whet owls.

What size birdhouse hole do saw-whet owls need?

2 1/2 in, with a floor of 6 × 6 in mounted 10–20 ft.

Other backyard birds in California

Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren House Finch Purple Finch Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Red-winged Blackbird Pine Siskin Northern Mockingbird Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Yellow-rumped Warbler House Sparrow European Starling Steller's Jay California Scrub-Jay Mountain Chickadee Chestnut-backed Chickadee Bushtit Oak Titmouse Juniper Titmouse Pygmy Nuthatch Anna's Hummingbird Black-chinned Hummingbird Costa's Hummingbird Lesser Goldfinch Cassin's Finch California Towhee Spotted Towhee Gambel's Quail California Quail Western Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe Black Phoebe Acorn Woodpecker Gila Woodpecker Ladder-backed Woodpecker Nuttall's Woodpecker Cactus Wren Verdin Bewick's Wren White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Varied Thrush Violet-green Swallow Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Bullock's Oriole Eurasian Collared-Dove White-winged Dove American Crow Common Raven Cooper's Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Great Horned Owl American Kestrel Wood Duck Wild Turkey Mallard Great Blue Heron Belted Kingfisher Brown-headed Cowbird Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Winter Wren Pine Grosbeak Red Crossbill Western Tanager Hooded Oriole Phainopepla Black-throated Sparrow Lark Sparrow Green-tailed Towhee California Thrasher Clark's Nutcracker Yellow-billed Magpie Western Screech-Owl Hooded Merganser Band-tailed Pigeon Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat Yellow-breasted Chat Orange-crowned Warbler Warbling Vireo Western Kingbird Vermilion Flycatcher Ash-throated Flycatcher Cliff Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Bank Swallow Common Nighthawk Canada Goose American Coot Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper Green Heron Great Egret Black-crowned Night Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk Merlin Peregrine Falcon Barn Owl Burrowing Owl Lewis's Woodpecker Black-backed Woodpecker White-headed Woodpecker Savannah Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Lapland Longspur Horned Lark Blue Grosbeak Cactus Wren Greater Roadrunner Yellow-billed Cuckoo Yellow-headed Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird Great-tailed Grackle Rock Pigeon

Sources

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.