American Tree Sparrow in May
Where American tree sparrows are in May, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
May in the American Tree Sparrow's year
May is the peak of the birding year. Migration floods the North, dawn chorus is at its loudest, and nesting is underway across most of the continent. By month's end the first broods of the year are hatching in mid-latitudes.
For the American Tree Sparrow specifically, May is a spring month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 50 states and provinces where American tree sparrows occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where American tree sparrows are in May
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- summer breeder
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In May, American tree sparrows are absent in the South, summer breeder across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in May
American tree sparrows are not nesting in May. The season runs June–July at mid-latitudes, starting roughly a month earlier in the South.
Outside the nesting season, American tree sparrows put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in May
- Insects on the tundra
A winter-only visitor to most of the U.S.; forages in weedy fields and under feeders.
Adults feeding nestlings need easy calories. Some species that ignored feeders all winter now visit regularly, and you may see fledglings brought to feeders by their parents.
Full American Tree Sparrow diet guide → · Best feeder for American tree sparrows →
Watching American tree sparrows this month
American tree sparrows are settled and predictable in May, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region American tree sparrows are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
American Tree Sparrow month by month
American Tree Sparrow by state
Frequently asked
Where are American tree sparrows in May?
In May, American tree sparrows are absent in the South, summer breeder across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do American tree sparrows nest in May?
No — American tree sparrows typically nest June through July at mid-latitudes.
What do American tree sparrows eat in May?
Insects on the tundra.
Sources
- American Tree Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Tree Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Tree Sparrow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
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.