Gambel oak for birds in New Mexico
Acorns for jays and woodpeckers across the southern Rockies. Native to New Mexico, where it feeds or shelters 91 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Quercus gambelii
- Native status
- Native in New Mexico
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9a
- What birds get from it
- acorns and nuts, insects for nestlings
- New Mexico birds supported
- 91
- Nesting birds among them
- 81
Growing conditions in New Mexico
Arid to semi-arid, with Chihuahuan desert in the south and mountain forest above 7,000 ft.
Hot, dry early summer followed by the July–August monsoon.
New Mexico birds that use Gambel oak
Year-round residents (52)
Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, Song Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Mockingbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, European Starling, Steller's Jay, Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay, Black-billed Magpie, Mountain Chickadee, Bushtit, Pygmy Nuthatch, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Say's Phoebe, Black Phoebe, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, American Crow, Common Raven, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Wild Turkey, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Western Screech-Owl, Band-tailed Pigeon, Vermilion Flycatcher, Killdeer, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owl, Burrowing Owl, Cactus Wren, Greater Roadrunner, Brewer's Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle
Summer breeders (29)
House Wren, Common Grackle, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Hooded Oriole, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Warbling Vireo, Western Kingbird, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Spotted Sandpiper, Green Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Osprey, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (10)
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Hooded Merganser, Orange-crowned Warbler, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Lewis's Woodpecker, Yellow-headed Blackbird
Cold nights and sunny days; many desert and mountain birds move to lower elevations.
Nesting season it supports in New Mexico
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Gambel oak:
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- Downy Woodpecker — April–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — April–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — April–June
- House Wren — May–August
- American Robin — April–July
- Song Sparrow — April–August
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Red-breasted Nuthatch — May–June
- Brown Creeper — May–June
Native plants to pair with Gambel oak in New Mexico
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Frequently asked
Is Gambel oak native to New Mexico?
Yes. Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) is recorded as native in New Mexico. New Mexico spans USDA 4b–9a.
What birds does Gambel oak attract in New Mexico?
In New Mexico, Gambel oak supports 91 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, American Robin.
Does Gambel oak help nesting birds in New Mexico?
81 of those birds nest in New Mexico: Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Downy Woodpecker (April–June), Hairy Woodpecker (April–June), White-breasted Nuthatch (April–June).
Which winter birds use Gambel oak in New Mexico?
Winter visitors Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Hooded Merganser, Orange-crowned Warbler, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Lewis's Woodpecker, Yellow-headed Blackbird use it in New Mexico during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Mexico
- 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.