New York · Summer breeder

Savannah Sparrows in New York

When savannah sparrows are present in New York, when they nest, which native New York plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–7b yard.

New World sparrows (Passerellidae)Savannah SparrowPasserculus sandwichensis

Status in New York: Summer breeder
Nesting window: May–July
Broods: 1–3 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 3b–7b

When to expect savannah sparrows in New York

Savannah Sparrows are summer residents in New York, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent.

Humid continental, from cold Adirondack highlands to the maritime-moderated coast of Long Island.

Nesting in New York

Across New York, savannah sparrows typically nest from May–July. Plan around that window: April for setup, July for clean-out.

Warm summers with a shorter nesting season upstate than downstate.

Savannah Sparrows don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, sugar maple, red maple for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native New York plants that attract savannah sparrows

Of the regional native plants we track for New York, these 8 provide food or cover savannah sparrows use:

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta · Perennial

Fall seed.

Wild bergamot

Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

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.

Sugar maple

Acer saccharum · Tree

Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.

Red maple

Acer rubrum · Tree

Among the first spring bloomers; early insects for returning migrants.

Feeding savannah sparrows through the New York year

Top foods: Millet, Cracked corn.
In New York's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

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

Frequently asked

Are savannah sparrows in New York year-round?

No. Savannah Sparrows are summer breeders in New York and leave for the winter.

When do savannah sparrows nest in New York?

Nesting in New York typically runs May–July, with 1–3 per season. Clutches are 2–6 eggs, incubated for 10–13 days.

What native plants attract savannah sparrows in New York?

Black-eyed Susan, Wild bergamot, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Sugar maple, Red maple are native plants in New York that provide food or cover for savannah sparrows.

Other backyard birds in New York

Northern Cardinal Eastern Bluebird Black-capped Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Blue Jay House Finch Purple Finch Ruby-throated Hummingbird Carolina Wren Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-headed Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Orchard Oriole Rose-breasted Grosbeak Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Common Redpoll Indigo Bunting Eastern Towhee Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Chimney Swift Yellow-rumped Warbler Pine Warbler Eastern Screech-Owl Wood Thrush Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Canada Jay Fox Sparrow American Crow Common Raven Cooper's Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Barred Owl Great Horned Owl American Kestrel Wood Duck Wild Turkey Mallard Great Blue Heron Belted Kingfisher Scarlet Tanager Eastern Meadowlark Brown-headed Cowbird Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Winter Wren Pine Grosbeak Red Crossbill Field Sparrow Gray Catbird Lark Sparrow Hooded Merganser Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Black-and-white Warbler Ovenbird Yellow-breasted Chat Red-eyed Vireo Warbling Vireo White-eyed Vireo Eastern Wood-Pewee Least Flycatcher Cliff Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Bank Swallow Common Nighthawk Eastern Whip-poor-will Canada Goose American Coot Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper American Woodcock Green Heron Great Egret Black-crowned Night Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk Merlin Peregrine Falcon Northern Saw-whet Owl Black-backed Woodpecker Swamp Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Snow Bunting Horned Lark Common Redpoll Hoary Redpoll White-winged Crossbill Bohemian Waxwing Yellow-billed Cuckoo Bobolink Rusty Blackbird Rock Pigeon Monk Parakeet

Sources

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.