Chipping Sparrows in Washington
When chipping sparrows are present in Washington, when they nest, which native Washington plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–9a yard.
- Status in Washington
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- April–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
When to expect chipping sparrows in Washington
Chipping Sparrows are summer residents in Washington, arriving shortly before nesting begins in April and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on grasshoppers, leafhoppers and caterpillars.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades, semi-arid shrub-steppe to the east.
Nesting in Washington
Across Washington, chipping sparrows typically nest from April–July. Nest site: loose cup lined with hair, 3–10 ft up in conifers or shrubs. Females lay 2–7 eggs, incubate for 10–15 days, and young leave the nest after 9–12 days.
Dry, sunny summers west of the Cascades; hot in the Columbia Basin.
- Chipping Sparrows don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, rabbitbrush for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Washington plants that attract chipping sparrows
Of the regional native plants we track for Washington, these 8 provide food or cover chipping sparrows use:
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Feeding chipping sparrows through the Washington year
Chippers feed on lawns and low platforms and nest in ornamental evergreens near houses.
- Best foods: Millet, Hulled sunflower chips.
- In Washington's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for chipping sparrows · Best feeder for chipping sparrows
Frequently asked
Are chipping sparrows in Washington year-round?
No. Chipping Sparrows are summer breeders in Washington and leave for the winter.
When do chipping sparrows nest in Washington?
Nesting in Washington typically runs April–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 2–7 eggs, incubated for 10–15 days.
What native plants attract chipping sparrows in Washington?
Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Rocky Mountain bee plant, Rabbitbrush are native plants in Washington that provide food or cover for chipping sparrows.
Chipping Sparrows in other regions
Other backyard birds in Washington
Sources
- Chipping Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Chipping Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Chipping Sparrow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Washington
- 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.