Fox Sparrows in Maryland
When fox sparrows are present in Maryland, when they nest, which native Maryland plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 6a–8a yard.
- Status in Maryland
- Winter visitor
- Nesting window
- Does not typically nest here
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6a–8a
When to expect fox sparrows in Maryland
In Maryland, fox sparrows are winter visitors rather than breeders. Mild winters in the east with regular snow in the western mountains. While here they rely on seeds and berries.
Humid subtropical on the Chesapeake coastal plain, cooler in the Appalachian west.
Native Maryland plants that attract fox sparrows
Of the regional native plants we track for Maryland, these 8 provide food or cover fox sparrows use:
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Deciduous holly holding red fruit into mid-winter.
Fruit clusters persist all winter as emergency food.
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Feeding fox sparrows through the Maryland year
Scratches with both feet at once, flinging leaves.
- Best foods: Millet, Sunflower chips.
- In Maryland's winter: Mild winters in the east with regular snow in the western mountains.
Full diet breakdown for fox sparrows · Best feeder for fox sparrows
Frequently asked
Are fox sparrows in Maryland year-round?
No. Fox Sparrows are winter visitors in Maryland and do not typically nest there.
What native plants attract fox sparrows in Maryland?
Flowering dogwood, Eastern red cedar, Serviceberry, Winterberry, Staghorn sumac, Smooth sumac, Black cherry, American elderberry are native plants in Maryland that provide food or cover for fox sparrows.
Fox Sparrows in other regions
Other backyard birds in Maryland
Sources
- Fox Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Fox Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Fox Sparrow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Maryland
- 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.