White-crowned Sparrows in Washington
When white-crowned sparrows are present in Washington, when they nest, which native Washington plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–9a yard.
- Status in Washington
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 1–4 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
When to expect white-crowned sparrows in Washington
White-crowned Sparrows live in Washington all year. Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward seeds.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades, semi-arid shrub-steppe to the east.
Nesting in Washington
Across Washington, 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.
Dry, sunny summers west of the Cascades; hot in the Columbia Basin.
- White-crowned Sparrows don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, rabbitbrush for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Washington plants that attract white-crowned sparrows
Of the regional native plants we track for Washington, 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.
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.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Feeding white-crowned sparrows through the Washington year
A classic winter sparrow of western yards and southern farmland.
- Best foods: Millet, Sunflower chips.
- In Washington's winter: Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east.
Full diet breakdown for white-crowned sparrows · Best feeder for white-crowned sparrows
Frequently asked
Are white-crowned sparrows in Washington year-round?
Yes. White-crowned Sparrows are year-round residents in Washington.
When do white-crowned sparrows nest in Washington?
Nesting in Washington 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 Washington?
Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Rocky Mountain bee plant, Rabbitbrush are native plants in Washington that provide food or cover for white-crowned sparrows.
White-crowned Sparrows in other regions
Other backyard birds in Washington
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 — Washington
- 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.