Orange-crowned Warblers in New Mexico
When orange-crowned warblers are present in New Mexico, when they nest, which native New Mexico plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–9a yard.
- Status in New Mexico
- Winter visitor
- Nesting window
- Does not typically nest here
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9a
When to expect orange-crowned warblers in New Mexico
In New Mexico, orange-crowned warblers are winter visitors rather than breeders. Cold nights and sunny days; many desert and mountain birds move to lower elevations.
Arid to semi-arid, with Chihuahuan desert in the south and mountain forest above 7,000 ft.
Native New Mexico plants that attract orange-crowned warblers
Of the regional native plants we track for New Mexico, these 8 provide food or cover orange-crowned warblers 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.
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.
Thorny cover with orange fruit favored by thrashers and cardinals.
Feeding orange-crowned warblers through the New Mexico year
- Top foods: Suet, Suet dough.
- In New Mexico's winter: Cold nights and sunny days; many desert and mountain birds move to lower elevations.
Full diet breakdown for orange-crowned warblers · Best feeder for orange-crowned warblers
Frequently asked
Are orange-crowned warblers in New Mexico year-round?
No. Orange-crowned Warblers are winter visitors in New Mexico and do not typically nest there.
What native plants attract orange-crowned warblers in New Mexico?
Black cherry, American elderberry, Tall goldenrod, Chokecherry, Ponderosa pine, Gambel oak, Rabbitbrush, Hackberry (desert) are native plants in New Mexico that provide food or cover for orange-crowned warblers.
Orange-crowned Warblers in other regions
Other backyard birds in New Mexico
Sources
- Orange-crowned Warbler — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Orange-crowned Warbler life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Orange-crowned Warbler — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Mexico
- 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.