Montana · Summer breeder

Fox Sparrows in Montana

When fox sparrows are present in Montana, when they nest, which native Montana plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–6a yard.

New World sparrows (Passerellidae)Fox SparrowPasserella iliaca

Status in Montana: Summer breeder
Nesting window: June–July
Broods: 1–2 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 3a–6a

When to expect fox sparrows in Montana

Fox Sparrows are summer residents in Montana, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on insects.

Continental — Rocky Mountain forest in the west, semi-arid Great Plains in the east.

Nesting in Montana

Across Montana, fox sparrows typically nest from June–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 summers and a short growing season.

Fox Sparrows don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, paper birch, chokecherry for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native Montana plants that attract fox sparrows

Of the regional native plants we track for Montana, these 8 provide food or cover fox sparrows use:

Smooth sumac

Rhus glabra · Shrub

Red fruit heads hang on through winter.

Wild bergamot

Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

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.

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.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Feeding fox sparrows through the Montana year

Scratches with both feet at once, flinging leaves.

Best foods: Millet, Sunflower chips.
In Montana'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 Montana year-round?

No. Fox Sparrows are summer breeders in Montana and leave for the winter.

When do fox sparrows nest in Montana?

Nesting in Montana typically runs June–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 2–5 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.

What native plants attract fox sparrows in Montana?

Smooth sumac, Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry are native plants in Montana that provide food or cover for fox sparrows.

Other backyard birds in Montana

Black-capped Chickadee Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren House Finch Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-headed Woodpecker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Common Redpoll Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Yellow-rumped Warbler Eastern Screech-Owl Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Steller's Jay Black-billed Magpie Canada Jay Mountain Chickadee Chestnut-backed Chickadee Pygmy Nuthatch Black-chinned Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Cassin's Finch Spotted Towhee Western Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe White-crowned Sparrow Varied Thrush Violet-green Swallow Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Bullock's Oriole Eurasian Collared-Dove

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.