Harris's Sparrows in Northwest Territories
When Harris's 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
- July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 0a–1a
When to expect Harris's sparrows in Northwest Territories
Harris's Sparrows are summer residents in Northwest Territories, arriving shortly before nesting begins in July and leaving after the young are independent.
Subarctic boreal forest in the south, Arctic tundra in the north.
Nesting in Northwest Territories
Across Northwest Territories, Harris's sparrows typically nest from July. Plan around that window: June for setup, July for clean-out.
Brief summers with midnight sun.
- Harris's Sparrows don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, willow (bebb), dwarf birch for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Northwest Territories plants that attract Harris's sparrows
Of the regional native plants we track for Northwest Territories, these 4 provide food or cover Harris's sparrows use:
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.
Feeding Harris's sparrows through the Northwest Territories year
- Top foods: Millet, Black-oil sunflower.
- In Northwest Territories's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for Harris's sparrows · Best feeder for Harris's sparrows
Frequently asked
Are Harris's sparrows in Northwest Territories year-round?
No. Harris's Sparrows are summer breeders in Northwest Territories and leave for the winter.
When do Harris's sparrows nest in Northwest Territories?
Nesting in Northwest Territories typically runs July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 12–15 days.
What native plants attract Harris's sparrows in Northwest Territories?
Paper birch, Willow (Bebb), Dwarf birch, Fireweed are native plants in Northwest Territories that provide food or cover for Harris's sparrows.
Harris's Sparrows in other regions
Other backyard birds in Northwest Territories
Sources
- Harris's Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Harris's Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Harris's 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.