White-breasted Nuthatchs in Washington
When white-breasted nuthatches are present in Washington, when they nest, which native Washington plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–9a yard.
- Status in Washington
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- April–June
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
- Nest box
- 1 1/4 in round hole, 4 × 4 in floor, 5–20 ft
When to expect white-breasted nuthatches in Washington
White-breasted Nuthatchs live in Washington all year. Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east. 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.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades, semi-arid shrub-steppe to the east.
Nesting in Washington
Across Washington, white-breasted nuthatches typically nest from April–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.
Dry, sunny summers west of the Cascades; hot in the Columbia Basin.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before March — 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 Washington plants that attract white-breasted nuthatches
Of the regional native plants we track for Washington, these 8 provide food or cover white-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.
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.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Feeding white-breasted nuthatches through the Washington 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 Washington's winter: Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east.
Full diet breakdown for white-breasted nuthatches · Best feeder for white-breasted nuthatches
Frequently asked
Are white-breasted nuthatches in Washington year-round?
Yes. White-breasted Nuthatchs are year-round residents in Washington.
When do white-breasted nuthatches nest in Washington?
Nesting in Washington typically runs April–June, with 1 per season. Clutches are 5–9 eggs, incubated for 13–14 days.
What native plants attract white-breasted nuthatches in Washington?
Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush, Oregon white oak, Douglas fir, Willow (Bebb) are native plants in Washington 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.
White-breasted Nuthatchs in other regions
Other backyard birds in Washington
Sources
- White-breasted Nuthatch — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- White-breasted Nuthatch life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- White-breasted Nuthatch — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Washington
- 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.