Nunavut · Summer breeder

Savannah Sparrows in Nunavut

When savannah sparrows are present in Nunavut, when they nest, which native Nunavut plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 0a yard.

New World sparrows (Passerellidae)Savannah SparrowPasserculus sandwichensis
Status in Nunavut
Summer breeder
Nesting window
June–July
Broods
1–3 per season
Hardiness zones
Canada 0a

When to expect savannah sparrows in Nunavut

Savannah Sparrows are summer residents in Nunavut, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent.

Arctic tundra across the mainland and Arctic Archipelago.

Nesting in Nunavut

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

A few weeks of summer thaw when tundra birds nest.

  • Savannah Sparrows don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, willow (bebb), dwarf birch for nest sites.
  • Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native Nunavut plants that attract savannah sparrows

Of the regional native plants we track for Nunavut, these 4 provide food or cover savannah sparrows use:

Paper birch
Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Willow (Bebb)
Salix bebbiana · Shrub

Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.

Dwarf birch
Betula glandulosa · Shrub

Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.

Fireweed
Chamaenerion angustifolium · Perennial

Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.

Feeding savannah sparrows through the Nunavut year

  • Top foods: Millet, Cracked corn.
  • In Nunavut'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 Nunavut year-round?

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

When do savannah sparrows nest in Nunavut?

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

What native plants attract savannah sparrows in Nunavut?

Paper birch, Willow (Bebb), Dwarf birch, Fireweed are native plants in Nunavut that provide food or cover for savannah sparrows.

Savannah Sparrows in other regions

Other backyard birds in Nunavut

Sources

  1. Savannah Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Savannah Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Savannah Sparrow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — Nunavut
  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.