Rabbitbrush for birds in Montana
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows. Native to Montana, where it feeds or shelters 112 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Ericameria nauseosa
- Native status
- Native in Montana
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–6a
- What birds get from it
- seed, insects for nestlings
- Montana birds supported
- 112
- Nesting birds among them
- 105
Growing conditions in Montana
Continental — Rocky Mountain forest in the west, semi-arid Great Plains in the east.
Warm, dry summers and a short growing season.
Montana birds that use Rabbitbrush
Year-round residents (51)
Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, 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, Eastern Screech-Owl, House Sparrow, European Starling, Black-billed Magpie, Mountain Chickadee, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Pygmy Nuthatch, Cassin's Finch, 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 (54)
American Goldfinch, House Wren, Chipping Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Spotted Towhee, 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 (7)
Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Hooded Merganser, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll
Very cold winters on the plains, with chinook winds bringing sudden thaws.
Nesting season it supports in Montana
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Rabbitbrush:
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- Downy Woodpecker — May–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — May–June
- American Goldfinch — August–September
- White-breasted Nuthatch — May–June
- House Wren — June–August
- House Finch — May–August
- Mourning Dove — April–September
- American Robin — May–July
- Dark-eyed Junco — June–July
Native plants to pair with Rabbitbrush in Montana
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Frequently asked
Is Rabbitbrush native to Montana?
Yes. Rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa) is recorded as native in Montana. Montana spans USDA 3a–6a.
What birds does Rabbitbrush attract in Montana?
In Montana, Rabbitbrush supports 112 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren.
Does Rabbitbrush help nesting birds in Montana?
105 of those birds nest in Montana: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), Downy Woodpecker (May–June), Hairy Woodpecker (May–June), American Goldfinch (August–September).
Which winter birds use Rabbitbrush in Montana?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Hooded Merganser, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in Montana during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Montana
- 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.