California · Summer breeder

Western Kingbirds in California

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

Tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae)Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalis

Status in California: Summer breeder
Nesting window: April–July
Broods: 1 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 5a–11a
Range note: Widespread in the Central Valley and inland.

When to expect western kingbirds in California

Western Kingbirds are summer residents in California, arriving shortly before nesting begins in April and leaving after the young are independent. Widespread in the Central Valley and inland.

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

Nesting in California

Across California, western kingbirds typically nest from April–July. Plan around that window: March for setup, July for clean-out.

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

Western Kingbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as chokecherry, ponderosa pine, rabbitbrush for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native California plants that attract western kingbirds

Of the regional native plants we track for California, these 8 provide food or cover western kingbirds 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 western kingbirds through the California year

Top foods: None — open country with wires and fences is the draw.
In California's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for western kingbirds · Best feeder for western kingbirds

Frequently asked

Are western kingbirds in California year-round?

No. Western Kingbirds are summer breeders in California and leave for the winter. Widespread in the Central Valley and inland.

When do western kingbirds nest in California?

Nesting in California typically runs April–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 18–19 days.

What native plants attract western kingbirds 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 western kingbirds.

Western Kingbirds in other regions

Alberta Arizona British Columbia Colorado Idaho Kansas Manitoba Montana Nebraska Nevada New Mexico North Dakota Oklahoma Oregon Saskatchewan South Dakota Texas Utah Washington Wyoming

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 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 Northern Saw-whet Owl 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.