House Sparrows in South Dakota
When house sparrows are present in South Dakota, when they nest, which native South Dakota plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–5b yard.
- Status in South Dakota
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- April–August
- Broods
- 2–4 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–5b
When to expect house sparrows in South Dakota
House Sparrows live in South Dakota all year. Cold, windy winters. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward grain and feeder seed.
Continental, with prairie east of the Missouri River and the forested Black Hills in the west.
Nesting in South Dakota
Across South Dakota, 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 summers with thunderstorms; the Black Hills host western mountain birds.
- 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.
Native South Dakota plants that attract house sparrows
Of the regional native plants we track for South Dakota, these 8 provide food or cover house sparrows use:
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Feeding house sparrows through the South Dakota 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 South Dakota's winter: Cold, windy winters.
Full diet breakdown for house sparrows · Best feeder for house sparrows
Frequently asked
Are house sparrows in South Dakota year-round?
Yes. House Sparrows are year-round residents in South Dakota.
When do house sparrows nest in South Dakota?
Nesting in South Dakota typically runs April–August, with 2–4 per season. Clutches are 4–6 eggs, incubated for 10–14 days.
What native plants attract house sparrows in South Dakota?
Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Sugar maple, Rocky Mountain bee plant are native plants in South Dakota that provide food or cover for house sparrows.
House Sparrows in other regions
Other backyard birds in South Dakota
Sources
- House Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- House Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- House Sparrow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — South Dakota
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- 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.