Iowa · Year-round resident

Eurasian Tree Sparrows in Iowa

When Eurasian tree sparrows are present in Iowa, when they nest, which native Iowa plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–6a yard.

Old World sparrows (Passeridae)Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanus

Status in Iowa: Year-round resident
Nesting window: April–August
Broods: 2–3 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 4b–6a
Nest box: 1 1/4 in hole, 4 × 4 in floor, 6–15 ft

When to expect Eurasian tree sparrows in Iowa

Eurasian Tree Sparrows live in Iowa all year. Cold, windy winters; open farmland makes backyard shelter and feeders a lifeline. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them.

Humid continental prairie state, with loess hills in the west and the Driftless Area in the northeast.

Nesting in Iowa

Across Iowa, Eurasian tree sparrows typically nest from April–August. Plan around that window: March for setup, August for clean-out.

Hot, humid summers with thunderstorms.

Have boxes cleaned and mounted before March — Eurasian tree sparrows begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
Use a 1 1/4 in entrance on a 4 × 4 in floor, mounted 6–15 ft.
Fit a pole baffle or hole guard; ventilation gaps and drainage holes are essential.
Clean out old nests after each brood and again after August.

Native Iowa plants that attract Eurasian tree sparrows

Of the regional native plants we track for Iowa, these 8 provide food or cover Eurasian tree sparrows use:

Wild bergamot

Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Purple coneflower

Echinacea purpurea · Perennial

Leave seed heads up through winter for goldfinches.

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta · Perennial

Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.

Common sunflower

Helianthus annuus · Perennial

Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.

New England aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae · Perennial

Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.

Little bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium · Perennial

Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.

Tall goldenrod

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Paper birch

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Feeding Eurasian tree sparrows through the Iowa year

Top foods: Millet, Cracked corn.
In Iowa's winter: Cold, windy winters; open farmland makes backyard shelter and feeders a lifeline.

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

Frequently asked

Are Eurasian tree sparrows in Iowa year-round?

Yes. Eurasian Tree Sparrows are year-round residents in Iowa.

When do Eurasian tree sparrows nest in Iowa?

Nesting in Iowa typically runs April–August, with 2–3 per season. Clutches are 4–6 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days.

What native plants attract Eurasian tree sparrows in Iowa?

Wild bergamot, Purple coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch are native plants in Iowa that provide food or cover for Eurasian tree sparrows.

What size birdhouse hole do Eurasian tree sparrows need?

1 1/4 in, with a floor of 4 × 4 in mounted 6–15 ft.

Eurasian Tree Sparrows in other regions

Illinois Missouri

Other backyard birds in Iowa

Northern Cardinal Eastern Bluebird Black-capped Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Blue Jay House Finch Purple Finch Ruby-throated Hummingbird Carolina Wren Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-headed Woodpecker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Orchard Oriole Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pine Siskin Indigo Bunting Eastern Towhee Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Chimney Swift Eastern Screech-Owl Wood Thrush Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling White-crowned Sparrow Eurasian Collared-Dove American Crow Cooper's Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Barred Owl Great Horned Owl American Kestrel Wood Duck Wild Turkey Northern Bobwhite Mallard Great Blue Heron Belted Kingfisher Scarlet Tanager Eastern Meadowlark Brown-headed Cowbird Golden-crowned Kinglet Winter Wren Pine Grosbeak Red Crossbill Field Sparrow Gray Catbird Lark Sparrow Hooded Merganser Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Black-and-white Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Prothonotary Warbler Ovenbird Yellow-breasted Chat Red-eyed Vireo Warbling Vireo White-eyed Vireo Eastern Wood-Pewee Least Flycatcher Cliff Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Bank Swallow Common Nighthawk Eastern Whip-poor-will Canada Goose American Coot Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper American Woodcock Green Heron Great Egret Black-crowned Night Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk Merlin Peregrine Falcon Northern Saw-whet Owl Savannah Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Harris's Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Snow Bunting Lapland Longspur Horned Lark Dickcissel Blue Grosbeak Hoary Redpoll White-winged Crossbill Bohemian Waxwing Yellow-billed Cuckoo Bobolink Yellow-headed Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird Great-tailed Grackle Rock Pigeon

Sources

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.