Bur oak for birds in North Dakota
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load. Native to North Dakota, where it feeds or shelters 83 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Quercus macrocarpa
- Native status
- Native in North Dakota
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–4b
- What birds get from it
- acorns and nuts, insects for nestlings
- North Dakota birds supported
- 83
- Nesting birds among them
- 76
Growing conditions in North Dakota
Continental northern prairie with prairie-pothole wetlands and the Missouri River breaks.
Short, warm summers with a peak nesting season in June.
North Dakota birds that use Bur oak
Year-round residents (23)
Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, Black-billed Magpie, American Crow, Common Raven, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owl
Summer breeders (53)
Eastern Bluebird, Purple Martin, House Wren, Song Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, Chimney Swift, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Mountain Bluebird, Say's Phoebe, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Least Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Green Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Burrowing Owl, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (7)
Red-breasted Nuthatch, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hooded Merganser, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl
Severe winters to −30°F; Snow Buntings and redpolls arrive from the Arctic.
Nesting season it supports in North Dakota
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Bur oak:
- Eastern Bluebird — May–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- Purple Martin — June–July
- Downy Woodpecker — May–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — May–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — May–June
- House Wren — June–August
- American Robin — May–July
- Song Sparrow — May–August
- Northern Flicker — May–June
Native plants to pair with Bur oak in North Dakota
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Frequently asked
Is Bur oak native to North Dakota?
Yes. Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) is recorded as native in North Dakota. North Dakota spans USDA 3a–4b.
What birds does Bur oak attract in North Dakota?
In North Dakota, Bur oak supports 83 backyard birds, including Eastern Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch.
Does Bur oak help nesting birds in North Dakota?
76 of those birds nest in North Dakota: Eastern Bluebird (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Purple Martin (June–July), Downy Woodpecker (May–June).
Which winter birds use Bur oak in North Dakota?
Winter visitors Red-breasted Nuthatch, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hooded Merganser, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl use it in North Dakota during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — North Dakota
- 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.