House Sparrows in Wyoming
When house sparrows are present in Wyoming, when they nest, which native Wyoming plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–5b yard.
- Status in Wyoming
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- May–August
- Broods
- 2–4 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–5b
When to expect house sparrows in Wyoming
House Sparrows live in Wyoming all year. Cold, very windy winters. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward grain and feeder seed.
Semi-arid high plains and basins with major mountain ranges; most towns lie above 5,000 ft.
Nesting in Wyoming
Across Wyoming, 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.
Short, warm summers with cool nights.
- House Sparrows don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as rabbitbrush for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.
Native Wyoming plants that attract house sparrows
Of the regional native plants we track for Wyoming, 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.
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Feeding house sparrows through the Wyoming 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 Wyoming's winter: Cold, very windy winters.
Full diet breakdown for house sparrows · Best feeder for house sparrows
Frequently asked
Are house sparrows in Wyoming year-round?
Yes. House Sparrows are year-round residents in Wyoming.
When do house sparrows nest in Wyoming?
Nesting in Wyoming 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 Wyoming?
Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Rocky Mountain bee plant, Rabbitbrush are native plants in Wyoming that provide food or cover for house sparrows.
House Sparrows in other regions
Other backyard birds in Wyoming
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 — Wyoming
- 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.