Wood Thrushs in New Hampshire
When wood thrushes are present in New Hampshire, when they nest, which native New Hampshire plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–6a yard.
- Status in New Hampshire
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–6a
When to expect wood thrushes in New Hampshire
Wood Thrushs are summer residents in New Hampshire, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on beetles, ants and caterpillars.
Humid continental, with the White Mountains dividing the southern lowlands from northern forest.
Nesting in New Hampshire
Across New Hampshire, wood thrushes typically nest from June–July. Nest site: mud-lined cup in understory saplings. Females lay 3–4 eggs, incubate for 11–14 days, and young leave the nest after 12–15 days.
Mild summers; nesting starts late May.
- Wood Thrushs don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as eastern red cedar, serviceberry, winterberry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native New Hampshire plants that attract wood thrushes
Of the regional native plants we track for New Hampshire, these 8 provide food or cover wood thrushes use:
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Deciduous holly holding red fruit into mid-winter.
Fruit clusters persist all winter as emergency food.
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Acorns plus hundreds of caterpillar species for nestling food.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Feeding wood thrushes through the New Hampshire year
Needs shady, moist woodland with leaf litter; declining by more than half since 1966.
- Best foods: .
- In New Hampshire's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for wood thrushes · Best feeder for wood thrushes
Frequently asked
Are wood thrushes in New Hampshire year-round?
No. Wood Thrushs are summer breeders in New Hampshire and leave for the winter.
When do wood thrushes nest in New Hampshire?
Nesting in New Hampshire typically runs June–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 3–4 eggs, incubated for 11–14 days.
What native plants attract wood thrushes in New Hampshire?
Eastern red cedar, Serviceberry, Winterberry, Staghorn sumac, Smooth sumac, White oak, Black cherry, American elderberry are native plants in New Hampshire that provide food or cover for wood thrushes.
Wood Thrushs in other regions
Other backyard birds in New Hampshire
Sources
- Wood Thrush — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Wood Thrush life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Wood Thrush — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Hampshire
- 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.