Paper birch for birds in Idaho
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter. Native to Idaho, where it feeds or shelters 109 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Betula papyrifera
- Native status
- Native in Idaho
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–7b
- What birds get from it
- seed, insects for nestlings
- Idaho birds supported
- 109
- Nesting birds among them
- 103
Growing conditions in Idaho
Semi-arid sagebrush plains along the Snake River and forested mountains to the north and center.
Hot, dry summers in the Snake River Plain and cool mountain summers.
Idaho birds that use Paper birch
Year-round residents (54)
Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Mourning Dove, American Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, European Starling, Black-billed Magpie, Mountain Chickadee, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Pygmy Nuthatch, Cassin's Finch, Spotted Towhee, California Quail, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Common Raven, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Wild Turkey, Mallard, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Brown-headed Cowbird, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Black-throated Sparrow, Pinyon Jay, Western Screech-Owl, Canada Goose, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Lewis's Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Horned Lark, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Brewer's Blackbird, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (49)
House Wren, Chipping Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Gray Catbird, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Lesser Goldfinch, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Say's Phoebe, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Violet-green Swallow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Lark Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhee, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Yellow-breasted Chat, Orange-crowned Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Least Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, American Coot, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Burrowing Owl, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird
Winter visitors (6)
Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Hooded Merganser, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll
Cold winters with inversions in the valleys; mountain finches and Bohemian Waxwings move into towns.
Nesting season it supports in Idaho
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Paper birch:
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- Downy Woodpecker — April–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — April–June
- American Goldfinch — July–September
- White-breasted Nuthatch — April–June
- House Wren — May–August
- House Finch — April–August
- Mourning Dove — March–September
- American Robin — April–July
- Dark-eyed Junco — May–July
Native plants to pair with Paper birch in Idaho
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Frequently asked
Is Paper birch native to Idaho?
Yes. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera) is recorded as native in Idaho. Idaho spans USDA 3b–7b.
What birds does Paper birch attract in Idaho?
In Idaho, Paper birch supports 109 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren.
Does Paper birch help nesting birds in Idaho?
103 of those birds nest in Idaho: Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Downy Woodpecker (April–June), Hairy Woodpecker (April–June), American Goldfinch (July–September).
Which winter birds use Paper birch in Idaho?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Hooded Merganser, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll use it in Idaho during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Idaho
- 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.