House Sparrows in Indiana

House Sparrows live in Indiana all year. Cold winters with lake-effect snow in the far north. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward grain and feeder seed.

Humid continental, from Lake Michigan dunes in the north to the forested hill country of the south.

Across Indiana, house sparrows typically nest from April–August. Nest site: messy grass nest in any cavity, including nest boxes. Females lay 4–6 eggs, incubate for 10–14 days, and young leave the nest after 14 days.

Warm, humid summers with frequent storms.

• House Sparrows don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as sugar maple for nest sites.
• Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.

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

An introduced species that evicts bluebirds and kills nestlings; use 1 1/2 in bluebird holes, monitor boxes, and avoid millet if it's a problem.

• Best foods: Millet, Cracked corn.
• In Indiana's winter: Cold winters with lake-effect snow in the far north.

Full diet breakdown for house sparrows · Best feeder for house sparrows