North Dakota · Year-round resident

White-breasted Nuthatchs in North Dakota

When white-breasted nuthatches are present in North Dakota, when they nest, which native North Dakota plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–4b yard.

Photo: Rhododendrites / Wikimedia Commons

Status in North Dakota: Year-round resident
Nesting window: May–June
Broods: 1 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 3a–4b
Nest box: 1 1/4 in round hole, 4 × 4 in floor, 5–20 ft

When to expect white-breasted nuthatches in North Dakota

White-breasted Nuthatchs live in North Dakota all year. Severe winters to −30°F; Snow Buntings and redpolls arrive from the Arctic. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward acorns, hickory nuts and seeds; sunflower, peanuts and suet at feeders.

Continental northern prairie with prairie-pothole wetlands and the Missouri River breaks.

Nesting in North Dakota

Across North Dakota, white-breasted nuthatches typically nest from May–June. Nest site: natural cavities in large trees; occasionally nest boxes. Females lay 5–9 eggs, incubate for 13–14 days, and young leave the nest after 18–26 days.

Short, warm summers with a peak nesting season in June.

Have boxes cleaned and mounted before April — white-breasted nuthatches begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
Use a 1 1/4 in round entrance on a 4 × 4 in floor, mounted 5–20 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 North Dakota plants that attract white-breasted nuthatches

Of the regional native plants we track for North Dakota, these 8 provide food or cover white-breasted nuthatches use:

Bur oak

Quercus macrocarpa · Tree

Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.

Black cherry

Prunus serotina · Tree

Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.

American elderberry

Sambucus canadensis · Shrub

Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.

New England aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae · Perennial

Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.

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.

Sugar maple

Acer saccharum · Tree

Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Feeding white-breasted nuthatches through the North Dakota year

Nuthatches grab a seed, fly to a crevice, and hammer it open — so feeders near mature, rough-barked trees get more visits.

Best foods: Black-oil sunflower, Shelled peanuts, Suet.
In North Dakota's winter: Severe winters to −30°F; Snow Buntings and redpolls arrive from the Arctic.

Full diet breakdown for white-breasted nuthatches · Best feeder for white-breasted nuthatches

Frequently asked

Are white-breasted nuthatches in North Dakota year-round?

Yes. White-breasted Nuthatchs are year-round residents in North Dakota.

When do white-breasted nuthatches nest in North Dakota?

Nesting in North Dakota typically runs May–June, with 1 per season. Clutches are 5–9 eggs, incubated for 13–14 days.

What native plants attract white-breasted nuthatches in North Dakota?

Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, New England aster, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Sugar maple, Chokecherry are native plants in North Dakota that provide food or cover for white-breasted nuthatches.

What size birdhouse hole do white-breasted nuthatches need?

1 1/4 in round, with a floor of 4 × 4 in mounted 5–20 ft.

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.