Golden currant for birds in Oregon
Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit. Native to Oregon, where it feeds or shelters 30 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Ribes aureum
- Native status
- Native in Oregon
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries, nectar
- Oregon birds supported
- 30
- Nesting birds among them
- 28
Growing conditions in Oregon
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades; high desert to the east.
Dry summers west of the Cascades; hot days in the high desert.
Oregon birds that use Golden currant
Year-round residents (17)
House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, European Starling, Canada Jay, Juniper Titmouse, Anna's Hummingbird, Spotted Towhee, Western Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Varied Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Band-tailed Pigeon
Summer breeders (11)
Gray Catbird, Eastern Kingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Mountain Bluebird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Ash-throated Flycatcher
Winter visitors (2)
Mild, rainy winters in the Willamette Valley; cold, snowy winters east of the Cascades.
Nesting season it supports in Oregon
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Golden currant:
- House Finch — April–August
- Purple Finch — May–July
- American Robin — April–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — April–June
- Gray Catbird — May–July
- Cedar Waxwing — June–August
- Yellow-rumped Warbler — May–July
- Eastern Kingbird — May–July
- European Starling — April–June
Native plants to pair with Golden currant in Oregon
Early spring blooms fuel returning Rufous Hummingbirds.
Spring flowers for Rufous Hummingbirds, early fruit for thrushes.
Frequently asked
Is Golden currant native to Oregon?
Yes. Golden currant (Ribes aureum) is recorded as native in Oregon. Oregon spans USDA 4b–9b.
What birds does Golden currant attract in Oregon?
In Oregon, Golden currant supports 30 backyard birds, including House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Gray Catbird.
Does Golden currant help nesting birds in Oregon?
28 of those birds nest in Oregon: House Finch (April–August), Purple Finch (May–July), American Robin (April–July), Northern Flicker (April–June).
Which winter birds use Golden currant in Oregon?
Winter visitors Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Oregon during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Oregon
- 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.