Idaho · Year-round resident

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays in Idaho

When Woodhouse's scrub-jays are present in Idaho, when they nest, which native Idaho plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–7b yard.

Crows and jays (Corvidae)Woodhouse's Scrub-JayAphelocoma woodhouseii

Status in Idaho: Year-round resident
Nesting window: April–June
Broods: 1 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 3b–7b

When to expect Woodhouse's scrub-jays in Idaho

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays live in Idaho all year. Cold winters with inversions in the valleys; mountain finches and Bohemian Waxwings move into towns. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward cached piñon nuts and acorns.

Semi-arid sagebrush plains along the Snake River and forested mountains to the north and center.

Nesting in Idaho

Across Idaho, Woodhouse's scrub-jays typically nest from April–June. Nest site: twig cup in junipers and oaks. Females lay 2–7 eggs, incubate for 15–17 days, and young leave the nest after 18 days.

Hot, dry summers in the Snake River Plain and cool mountain summers.

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as rocky mountain juniper, ponderosa pine, douglas fir for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after June.

Native Idaho plants that attract Woodhouse's scrub-jays

Of the regional native plants we track for Idaho, these 3 provide food or cover Woodhouse's scrub-jays use:

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.

Douglas fir

Pseudotsuga menziesii · Tree

Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees.

Feeding Woodhouse's scrub-jays through the Idaho year

A bird of piñon-juniper and oak scrub; common in Great Basin and Southwest yards.

Best foods: Peanuts, Sunflower.
In Idaho's winter: Cold winters with inversions in the valleys; mountain finches and Bohemian Waxwings move into towns.

Full diet breakdown for Woodhouse's scrub-jays · Best feeder for Woodhouse's scrub-jays

Frequently asked

Are Woodhouse's scrub-jays in Idaho year-round?

Yes. Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays are year-round residents in Idaho.

When do Woodhouse's scrub-jays nest in Idaho?

Nesting in Idaho typically runs April–June, with 1 per season. Clutches are 2–7 eggs, incubated for 15–17 days.

What native plants attract Woodhouse's scrub-jays in Idaho?

Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir are native plants in Idaho that provide food or cover for Woodhouse's scrub-jays.

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays in other regions

Arizona Colorado Nevada New Mexico Oklahoma Oregon Texas Utah Wyoming

Other backyard birds in Idaho

Black-capped Chickadee Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren House 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 Juniper Titmouse Pygmy Nuthatch Black-chinned Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Broad-tailed Hummingbird Lesser Goldfinch Cassin's Finch Spotted Towhee California Quail Western Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe White-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Varied Thrush Violet-green Swallow Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Bullock's Oriole Eurasian Collared-Dove

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.