Pacific madrone for birds in Oregon
Orange-red fall berries for Varied Thrushes and robins. Native to Oregon, where it feeds or shelters 27 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Arbutus menziesii
- Native status
- Native in Oregon
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Oregon birds supported
- 27
- Nesting birds among them
- 25
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 Pacific madrone
Year-round residents (16)
House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, European Starling, Canada Jay, Juniper Titmouse, Spotted Towhee, Western Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Varied Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Band-tailed Pigeon
Summer breeders (9)
Gray Catbird, Eastern Kingbird, 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 Pacific madrone:
- 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 Pacific madrone in Oregon
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Frequently asked
Is Pacific madrone native to Oregon?
Yes. Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii) is recorded as native in Oregon. Oregon spans USDA 4b–9b.
What birds does Pacific madrone attract in Oregon?
In Oregon, Pacific madrone supports 27 backyard birds, including House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Gray Catbird.
Does Pacific madrone help nesting birds in Oregon?
25 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 Pacific madrone 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.