White-crowned Sparrows in Manitoba
When white-crowned sparrows are present in Manitoba, when they nest, which native Manitoba plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 1a–3b yard.
- Status in Manitoba
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1–4 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–3b
When to expect white-crowned sparrows in Manitoba
White-crowned Sparrows are summer residents in Manitoba, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on insects.
Continental, from prairie in the southwest to boreal forest and Hudson Bay tundra in the north.
Nesting in Manitoba
Across Manitoba, white-crowned sparrows typically nest from June–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 summers with a short, intense nesting season.
- White-crowned Sparrows don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Manitoba plants that attract white-crowned sparrows
Of the regional native plants we track for Manitoba, 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.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Feeding white-crowned sparrows through the Manitoba year
A classic winter sparrow of western yards and southern farmland.
- Best foods: Millet, Sunflower chips.
- In Manitoba'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 Manitoba year-round?
No. White-crowned Sparrows are summer breeders in Manitoba and leave for the winter.
When do white-crowned sparrows nest in Manitoba?
Nesting in Manitoba typically runs June–July, with 1–4 per season. Clutches are 2–7 eggs, incubated for 11–14 days.
What native plants attract white-crowned sparrows in Manitoba?
Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Rocky Mountain bee plant are native plants in Manitoba that provide food or cover for white-crowned sparrows.
White-crowned Sparrows in other regions
Other backyard birds in Manitoba
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 — Manitoba
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- 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.