Oak Titmice in Oregon
When oak titmice 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
- March–May
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9b
- Nest box
- 1 1/4 in hole, 4 × 4 in floor, 5–15 ft
- Range note
- Southwestern Oregon.
When to expect oak titmice in Oregon
Oak Titmouses live in Oregon all year — southwestern Oregon. 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 acorns and seeds.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades; high desert to the east.
Nesting in Oregon
Across Oregon, oak titmice typically nest from March–May. Nest site: tree cavity or nest box. Females lay 3–9 eggs, incubate for 14–16 days, and young leave the nest after 16–21 days.
Dry summers west of the Cascades; hot days in the high desert.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before February — oak titmice begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
- Use a 1 1/4 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 May.
Native Oregon plants that attract oak titmice
Of the regional native plants we track for Oregon, these 8 provide food or cover oak titmice use:
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
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.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Feeding oak titmice through the Oregon year
Pairs defend territories year-round in California oak woodland and use nest boxes readily.
- Best foods: Black-oil sunflower, Suet, Peanuts.
- In Oregon's winter: Mild, rainy winters in the Willamette Valley; cold, snowy winters east of the Cascades.
Full diet breakdown for oak titmice · Best feeder for oak titmice
Frequently asked
Are oak titmice in Oregon year-round?
Yes. Oak Titmice are year-round residents in Oregon. Southwestern Oregon.
When do oak titmice nest in Oregon?
Nesting in Oregon typically runs March–May, with 1 per season. Clutches are 3–9 eggs, incubated for 14–16 days.
What native plants attract oak titmice in Oregon?
Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush, Oregon white oak, Douglas fir, Willow (Bebb) are native plants in Oregon that provide food or cover for oak titmice.
What size birdhouse hole do oak titmice need?
1 1/4 in, with a floor of 4 × 4 in mounted 5–15 ft.
Oak Titmice in other regions
Other backyard birds in Oregon
Sources
- Oak Titmouse — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Oak Titmouse life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Oak Titmouse — 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.