Fox Sparrows in Colorado
When fox sparrows are present in Colorado, when they nest, which native Colorado plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–7b yard.
- Status in Colorado
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–7b
When to expect fox sparrows in Colorado
Fox Sparrows are summer residents in Colorado, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on insects.
Semi-arid high plains in the east and the Rocky Mountains through the center, with most backyards between 5,000 and 7,000 ft.
Nesting in Colorado
Across Colorado, fox sparrows typically nest from May–July. Nest site: cup on the ground or low in shrubs. Females lay 2–5 eggs, incubate for 12–14 days, and young leave the nest after 9–11 days.
Warm, dry days and cool nights; afternoon storms are common in July and August.
- Fox Sparrows don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, virginia creeper for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Colorado plants that attract fox sparrows
Of the regional native plants we track for Colorado, these 8 provide food or cover fox sparrows use:
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Blue fruit on red stems in early fall.
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Feeding fox sparrows through the Colorado year
Scratches with both feet at once, flinging leaves.
- Best foods: Millet, Sunflower chips.
- In Colorado's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for fox sparrows · Best feeder for fox sparrows
Frequently asked
Are fox sparrows in Colorado year-round?
No. Fox Sparrows are summer breeders in Colorado and leave for the winter.
When do fox sparrows nest in Colorado?
Nesting in Colorado typically runs May–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 2–5 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.
What native plants attract fox sparrows in Colorado?
Smooth sumac, Virginia creeper, Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod are native plants in Colorado that provide food or cover for fox sparrows.
Fox Sparrows in other regions
Other backyard birds in Colorado
Sources
- Fox Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Fox Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Fox Sparrow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Colorado
- 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.