Nunavut · Summer breeder

American Tree Sparrows in Nunavut

When American tree sparrows are present in Nunavut, when they nest, which native Nunavut plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 0a yard.

New World sparrows (Passerellidae)American Tree SparrowSpizelloides arborea
Status in Nunavut
Summer breeder
Nesting window
July
Broods
1 per season
Hardiness zones
Canada 0a

When to expect American tree sparrows in Nunavut

American Tree Sparrows are summer residents in Nunavut, arriving shortly before nesting begins in July and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on insects on the tundra.

Arctic tundra across the mainland and Arctic Archipelago.

Nesting in Nunavut

Across Nunavut, American tree sparrows typically nest from July. Nest site: cup on the ground in tundra shrubs. Females lay 4–6 eggs, incubate for 11–13 days, and young leave the nest after 8–10 days.

A few weeks of summer thaw when tundra birds nest.

  • American Tree Sparrows don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, willow (bebb), dwarf birch for nest sites.
  • Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native Nunavut plants that attract American tree sparrows

Of the regional native plants we track for Nunavut, these 4 provide food or cover American tree sparrows use:

Paper birch
Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Willow (Bebb)
Salix bebbiana · Shrub

Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.

Dwarf birch
Betula glandulosa · Shrub

Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.

Fireweed
Chamaenerion angustifolium · Perennial

Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.

Feeding American tree sparrows through the Nunavut year

A winter-only visitor to most of the U.S.; forages in weedy fields and under feeders.

  • Best foods: Millet, Hulled sunflower.
  • In Nunavut's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for American tree sparrows · Best feeder for American tree sparrows

Frequently asked

Are American tree sparrows in Nunavut year-round?

No. American Tree Sparrows are summer breeders in Nunavut and leave for the winter.

When do American tree sparrows nest in Nunavut?

Nesting in Nunavut typically runs July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 4–6 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days.

What native plants attract American tree sparrows in Nunavut?

Paper birch, Willow (Bebb), Dwarf birch, Fireweed are native plants in Nunavut that provide food or cover for American tree sparrows.

American Tree Sparrows in other regions

Other backyard birds in Nunavut

Sources

  1. American Tree Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. American Tree Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. American Tree Sparrow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — Nunavut
  5. Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
  6. 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.