Red-breasted Nuthatchs in Montana
When red-breasted nuthatches are present in Montana, when they nest, which native Montana plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–6a yard.
- Status in Montana
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- June
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–6a
- Nest box
- 1 1/4 in hole, 4 × 4 in floor, 5–15 ft
When to expect red-breasted nuthatches in Montana
Red-breasted Nuthatchs live in Montana all year. Very cold winters on the plains, with chinook winds bringing sudden thaws. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward spruce, fir and pine seeds.
Continental — Rocky Mountain forest in the west, semi-arid Great Plains in the east.
Nesting in Montana
Across Montana, red-breasted nuthatches typically nest from June. Nest site: excavated cavity in soft dead conifers or aspens; uses boxes. Females lay 5–8 eggs, incubate for 12–13 days, and young leave the nest after 18–21 days.
Warm, dry summers and a short growing season.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before May — red-breasted nuthatches 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 June.
Native Montana plants that attract red-breasted nuthatches
Of the regional native plants we track for Montana, these 8 provide food or cover red-breasted nuthatches use:
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all 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.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Feeding red-breasted nuthatches through the Montana year
Irrupts south in poor cone years; smears sap around its nest hole to deter predators.
- Best foods: Black-oil sunflower, Suet, Peanut hearts.
- In Montana's winter: Very cold winters on the plains, with chinook winds bringing sudden thaws.
Full diet breakdown for red-breasted nuthatches · Best feeder for red-breasted nuthatches
Frequently asked
Are red-breasted nuthatches in Montana year-round?
Yes. Red-breasted Nuthatchs are year-round residents in Montana.
When do red-breasted nuthatches nest in Montana?
Nesting in Montana typically runs June, with 1 per season. Clutches are 5–8 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days.
What native plants attract red-breasted nuthatches in Montana?
Bur oak, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Common hackberry, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush are native plants in Montana that provide food or cover for red-breasted nuthatches.
What size birdhouse hole do red-breasted nuthatches need?
1 1/4 in, with a floor of 4 × 4 in mounted 5–15 ft.
Red-breasted Nuthatchs in other regions
Other backyard birds in Montana
Sources
- Red-breasted Nuthatch — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-breasted Nuthatch life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-breasted Nuthatch — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Montana
- 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.