Fox Sparrows in Northwest Territories
When fox sparrows are present in Northwest Territories, when they nest, which native Northwest Territories plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 0a–1a yard.
- Status in Northwest Territories
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 0a–1a
When to expect fox sparrows in Northwest Territories
Fox Sparrows are summer residents in Northwest Territories, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on insects.
Subarctic boreal forest in the south, Arctic tundra in the north.
Nesting in Northwest Territories
Across Northwest Territories, 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.
Brief summers with midnight sun.
- Fox Sparrows don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, pin cherry, chokecherry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Northwest Territories plants that attract fox sparrows
Of the regional native plants we track for Northwest Territories, these 8 provide food or cover fox sparrows use:
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.
Saskatoon berries ripen in early summer.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Low evergreen with winter-persistent red fruit.
Feeding fox sparrows through the Northwest Territories year
Scratches with both feet at once, flinging leaves.
- Best foods: Millet, Sunflower chips.
- In Northwest Territories'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 Northwest Territories year-round?
No. Fox Sparrows are summer breeders in Northwest Territories and leave for the winter.
When do fox sparrows nest in Northwest Territories?
Nesting in Northwest Territories 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 Northwest Territories?
Paper birch, Pin cherry, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Highbush cranberry, Western serviceberry, Willow (Bebb), Bearberry are native plants in Northwest Territories that provide food or cover for fox sparrows.
Fox Sparrows in other regions
Other backyard birds in Northwest Territories
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 — Northwest Territories
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- 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.