Red-breasted Nuthatchs in Oregon
When red-breasted nuthatches 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
- May–June
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9b
- Nest box
- 1 1/4 in hole, 4 × 4 in floor, 5–15 ft
When to expect red-breasted nuthatches in Oregon
Red-breasted Nuthatchs live in Oregon all year. 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 spruce, fir and pine seeds.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades; high desert to the east.
Nesting in Oregon
Across Oregon, red-breasted nuthatches typically nest from May–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.
Dry summers west of the Cascades; hot days in the high desert.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before April — 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 Oregon plants that attract red-breasted nuthatches
Of the regional native plants we track for Oregon, these 8 provide food or cover red-breasted nuthatches use:
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all 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.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Acorns and a rich insect community in the Pacific Northwest.
Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees.
Feeding red-breasted nuthatches through the Oregon 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 Oregon's winter: Mild, rainy winters in the Willamette Valley; cold, snowy winters east of the Cascades.
Full diet breakdown for red-breasted nuthatches · Best feeder for red-breasted nuthatches
Frequently asked
Are red-breasted nuthatches in Oregon year-round?
Yes. Red-breasted Nuthatchs are year-round residents in Oregon.
When do red-breasted nuthatches nest in Oregon?
Nesting in Oregon typically runs May–June, with 1 per season. Clutches are 5–8 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days.
What native plants attract red-breasted nuthatches in Oregon?
Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush, Oregon white oak, Douglas fir are native plants in Oregon 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 Oregon
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 — 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.