Spring Migration in Boise: Who’s Arriving, What to Watch For, and How to Help

Every spring, the Treasure Valley sky comes alive as millions of birds return north from their wintering grounds. Boise is located along the Pacific Flyway, a major migratory route that stretches from South America to Alaska—and our backyards play an important role in supporting birds during this incredible journey.

Whether you're new to birding or a seasoned backyard observer, spring is the perfect time to refresh your feeder setup, plant with purpose, and enjoy the beauty of migration right outside your door.

Who’s Migrating Through Boise This Spring?

Boise plays host to a diverse range of migratory species in April, May, and early June. Here are some exciting birds to watch for this season:

Notable Migrants:

• Western Tanagers – Brilliant yellow with fiery red heads, these eye-catching songbirds stop in to rest and refuel.
• Black-headed Grosbeaks – Their bold coloring and rich song make them easy to spot in tree canopies.
• Bullock’s Orioles – Flashy orange and black, they love oranges and jelly!
• Yellow Warblers & Wilson’s Warblers – Tiny, energetic insect-eaters that often forage in shrubs and trees.
• Rufous Hummingbirds – Fiery and feisty, these hummingbirds are long-distance migrants passing through.
• Swainson’s Hawks – Large raptors that migrate by the thousands through southern Idaho each spring.

How You Can Help Migrating Birds in Boise

These birds often travel hundreds or even thousands of miles, and your yard can provide the food, water, and shelter they desperately need.

1. Offer High-Energy Food
Migrants are focused on refueling quickly. Here’s what they love:

• Nectar for hummingbirds (keep it clean and fresh!)
• Jelly and oranges for orioles and tanagers
• No-Mess seed blends for quick feeding without waste
• Mealworms for insect-loving birds like warblers and grosbeaks

Find all of these at Wild Birds Unlimited – Boise, including nectar feeders, oriole feeders, and pre-filled seed cylinders designed for spring visitors.

2. Keep Feeders Clean
Spring brings warm days and fast-spoiling food. Clean feeders at least once a week to keep birds healthy.

Need supplies? We carry feeder cleaning brushes, wipes, and cleaning solutions to help make maintenance easy.

3. Add Water
Birds are just as drawn to fresh water as they are to food—especially moving water. Consider:

• Bird baths
• Drippers
• Misters
• Small fountains

We have a variety of easy-to-install water features that attract everything from finches to hummingbirds.

4. Plant Native

Migrating birds rely heavily on native plants for insects, berries, nectar, and shelter. By adding native flowers, shrubs, and trees to your yard, you’ll attract not only birds but also pollinators like bees and butterflies that help support the entire ecosystem.

Here are some top native plants for the Treasure Valley that help attract and sustain both migratory and local birds:

🌸 Native Flowers (Pollinator Favorites)

• Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) – Great for monarch butterflies and other pollinators
• Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) – Long-blooming; attracts bees and butterflies
• Lewis Flax (Linum lewisii) – Delicate blue flowers that pollinators love
• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia) – Seeds attract finches in fall
• Penstemon (Penstemon spp.) – Hummingbird magnet with tubular blooms
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – Flat-topped flowers perfect for butterflies and small bees

🌿 Native Shrubs (Shelter + Berries for Birds)

• Golden Currant (Ribes aureum) – Fragrant flowers, berries for robins and waxwings
• Woods’ Rose (Rosa woodsii) – Nectar for bees, hips for birds in fall
• Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) – Berries loved by thrushes, waxwings, and robins
• Rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa) – Late-season blooms for pollinators, shelter for small birds
• Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) – Great thicket-forming shrub with white berries in winter

🌳 Native Trees (Insects, Nesting, and Cover)

• Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) – Supports dozens of insect species
• Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) – Seeds for birds; shelter for owls and flickers
• Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) – Fruit-bearing tree used by many bird species
• Bigtooth Maple (Acer grandidentatum) – Provides shade, insects, and beautiful fall foliage

Ask our staff about the best native shrubs, flowers, and trees to support local and migratory species alike.

📍 Visit Wild Birds Unlimited – Boise or Meridian
Our team is passionate about birds and knowledgeable about what’s migrating through Treasure Valley right now. Whether you’re looking to update your feeders, try something new like jelly or mealworms, or just want to chat about what you’ve been seeing—we’re here for you.

Let’s help them along the way—together.

 

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