Song Sparrows in North Dakota
When song sparrows are present in North Dakota, when they nest, which native North Dakota plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–4b yard.
- Status in North Dakota
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–August
- Broods
- 2–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–4b
When to expect song sparrows in North Dakota
Song Sparrows are summer residents in North Dakota, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on beetles, caterpillars and grasshoppers.
Continental northern prairie with prairie-pothole wetlands and the Missouri River breaks.
Nesting in North Dakota
Across North Dakota, song sparrows typically nest from May–August. Nest site: grass cup on the ground or low in shrubs. Females lay 3–5 eggs, incubate for 12–14 days, and young leave the nest after 9–12 days.
Short, warm summers with a peak nesting season in June.
- Song Sparrows don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as bur oak, black cherry, american elderberry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.
Native North Dakota plants that attract song sparrows
Of the regional native plants we track for North Dakota, these 8 provide food or cover song sparrows use:
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
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.
Feeding song sparrows through the North Dakota year
Song Sparrows feed at the edge of shrubbery and are among the first birds singing in late winter.
- Best foods: Millet, Hulled sunflower, Cracked corn.
- In North Dakota's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for song sparrows · Best feeder for song sparrows
Frequently asked
Are song sparrows in North Dakota year-round?
No. Song Sparrows are summer breeders in North Dakota and leave for the winter.
When do song sparrows nest in North Dakota?
Nesting in North Dakota typically runs May–August, with 2–3 per season. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.
What native plants attract song sparrows in North Dakota?
Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, New England aster, Little bluestem are native plants in North Dakota that provide food or cover for song sparrows.
Song Sparrows in other regions
Other backyard birds in North Dakota
Sources
- Song Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Song Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Song Sparrow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — North 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.