Washington · Summer breeder

Western Tanagers in Washington

When western tanagers are present in Washington, when they nest, which native Washington plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–9a yard.

Cardinals and allies (Cardinalidae)Western TanagerPiranga ludoviciana

Status in Washington: Summer breeder
Nesting window: May–July
Broods: 1 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 4a–9a

When to expect western tanagers in Washington

Western Tanagers are summer residents in Washington, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent.

Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades, semi-arid shrub-steppe to the east.

Nesting in Washington

Across Washington, western tanagers typically nest from May–July. Plan around that window: April for setup, July for clean-out.

Dry, sunny summers west of the Cascades; hot in the Columbia Basin.

Western Tanagers don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, paper birch, chokecherry for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native Washington plants that attract western tanagers

Of the regional native plants we track for Washington, these 8 provide food or cover western tanagers use:

Smooth sumac

Rhus glabra · Shrub

Red fruit heads hang on through winter.

Tall goldenrod

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Paper birch

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Red-osier dogwood

Cornus sericea · Shrub

White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.

Highbush cranberry

Viburnum trilobum · Shrub

Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.

Rocky Mountain juniper

Juniperus scopulorum · Tree

Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.

Ponderosa pine

Pinus ponderosa · Tree

Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.

Feeding western tanagers through the Washington year

Top foods: Orange halves, Grape jelly (during migration).
In Washington'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 Washington year-round?

No. Western Tanagers are summer breeders in Washington and leave for the winter.

When do western tanagers nest in Washington?

Nesting in Washington typically runs May–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 13 days.

What native plants attract western tanagers in Washington?

Smooth sumac, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Highbush cranberry, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine are native plants in Washington that provide food or cover for western tanagers.

Western Tanagers in other regions

Alberta Arizona British Columbia California Colorado Idaho Kansas Manitoba Montana Nebraska Nevada New Mexico North Dakota Northwest Territories Oklahoma Oregon Saskatchewan South Dakota Utah Wyoming Yukon

Other backyard birds in Washington

Black-capped Chickadee 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 Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Common Redpoll Gray Catbird Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Yellow-rumped Warbler Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Steller's Jay Black-billed Magpie Canada Jay Mountain Chickadee Chestnut-backed Chickadee Bushtit Pygmy Nuthatch Anna's Hummingbird Black-chinned Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Lesser Goldfinch Cassin's Finch Spotted Towhee California Quail Western Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe 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 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 Gray Catbird Lark Sparrow Green-tailed Towhee Clark's Nutcracker Western Screech-Owl Hooded Merganser Band-tailed Pigeon Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat Yellow-breasted Chat Orange-crowned Warbler Warbling Vireo Western Kingbird 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 Merlin Peregrine Falcon Northern Saw-whet Owl Barn Owl Lewis's Woodpecker Black-backed Woodpecker White-headed Woodpecker Savannah Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Snow Bunting Lapland Longspur Horned Lark Common Redpoll Bohemian Waxwing Bobolink Yellow-headed Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird 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.