Saskatchewan · Year-round resident

House Sparrows in Saskatchewan

When house sparrows are present in Saskatchewan, when they nest, which native Saskatchewan plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 1a–3b yard.

Old World sparrows (Passeridae)House SparrowPasser domesticus
Status in Saskatchewan
Year-round resident
Nesting window
May–August
Broods
2–4 per season
Hardiness zones
Canada 1a–3b

When to expect house sparrows in Saskatchewan

House Sparrows live in Saskatchewan all year. Very cold, dry winters. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward grain and feeder seed.

Continental — prairie in the south, boreal forest in the north.

Nesting in Saskatchewan

Across Saskatchewan, house sparrows typically nest from May–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, sunny summers.

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

Native Saskatchewan plants that attract house sparrows

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

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.

New England aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae · Perennial

Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.

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.

Rocky Mountain bee plant
Cleome serrulata · Perennial

Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.

Feeding house sparrows through the Saskatchewan year

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 Saskatchewan's winter: Very cold, dry winters.

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

Frequently asked

Are house sparrows in Saskatchewan year-round?

Yes. House Sparrows are year-round residents in Saskatchewan.

When do house sparrows nest in Saskatchewan?

Nesting in Saskatchewan typically runs May–August, with 2–4 per season. Clutches are 4–6 eggs, incubated for 10–14 days.

What native plants attract house sparrows in Saskatchewan?

Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Rocky Mountain bee plant are native plants in Saskatchewan that provide food or cover for house sparrows.

House Sparrows in other regions

Other backyard birds in Saskatchewan

Sources

  1. House Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. House Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. House Sparrow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — Saskatchewan
  5. Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
  6. 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.