White-crowned Sparrows in Colorado
When white-crowned sparrows are present in Colorado, when they nest, which native Colorado plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–7b yard.
- Status in Colorado
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 1–4 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–7b
When to expect white-crowned sparrows in Colorado
White-crowned Sparrows are summer residents in Colorado, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on insects.
Semi-arid high plains in the east and the Rocky Mountains through the center, with most backyards between 5,000 and 7,000 ft.
Nesting in Colorado
Across Colorado, white-crowned sparrows typically nest from May–July. Nest site: cup on or near the ground. Females lay 2–7 eggs, incubate for 11–14 days, and young leave the nest after 10 days.
Warm, dry days and cool nights; afternoon storms are common in July and August.
- White-crowned 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 July.
Native Colorado plants that attract white-crowned sparrows
Of the regional native plants we track for Colorado, these 8 provide food or cover white-crowned 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 white-crowned sparrows through the Colorado year
A classic winter sparrow of western yards and southern farmland.
- Best foods: Millet, Sunflower chips.
- In Colorado's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for white-crowned sparrows · Best feeder for white-crowned sparrows
Frequently asked
Are white-crowned sparrows in Colorado year-round?
No. White-crowned Sparrows are summer breeders in Colorado and leave for the winter.
When do white-crowned sparrows nest in Colorado?
Nesting in Colorado typically runs May–July, with 1–4 per season. Clutches are 2–7 eggs, incubated for 11–14 days.
What native plants attract white-crowned sparrows in Colorado?
Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Rocky Mountain bee plant, Rabbitbrush are native plants in Colorado that provide food or cover for white-crowned sparrows.
White-crowned Sparrows in other regions
Other backyard birds in Colorado
Sources
- White-crowned Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- White-crowned Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- White-crowned Sparrow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Colorado
- 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.