Western Tanagers in Utah
When western tanagers are present in Utah, when they nest, which native Utah plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–9a yard.
- Status in Utah
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
When to expect western tanagers in Utah
Western Tanagers are summer residents in Utah, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent.
Semi-arid to arid, with the Wasatch Range rising above the Great Basin and red-rock canyon country in the south.
Nesting in Utah
Across Utah, western tanagers typically nest from May–July. Plan around that window: April for setup, July for clean-out.
Hot, dry summers.
- Western Tanagers don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, virginia creeper, chokecherry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Utah plants that attract western tanagers
Of the regional native plants we track for Utah, these 8 provide food or cover western tanagers use:
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Blue fruit on red stems in early fall.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.
Acorns for jays and woodpeckers across the southern Rockies.
Feeding western tanagers through the Utah year
- Top foods: Orange halves, Grape jelly (during migration).
- In Utah's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for western tanagers · Best feeder for western tanagers
Frequently asked
Are western tanagers in Utah year-round?
No. Western Tanagers are summer breeders in Utah and leave for the winter.
When do western tanagers nest in Utah?
Nesting in Utah typically runs May–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 13 days.
What native plants attract western tanagers in Utah?
Smooth sumac, Virginia creeper, Tall goldenrod, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine, Gambel oak are native plants in Utah that provide food or cover for western tanagers.
Western Tanagers in other regions
Other backyard birds in Utah
Sources
- Western Tanager — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western Tanager life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western Tanager — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Utah
- 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.