Mississippi · Year-round resident

House Sparrows in Mississippi

When house sparrows are present in Mississippi, when they nest, which native Mississippi plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 7b–9a yard.

Old World sparrows (Passeridae)House SparrowPasser domesticus

Status in Mississippi: Year-round resident
Nesting window: March–August
Broods: 2–4 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 7b–9a

When to expect house sparrows in Mississippi

House Sparrows live in Mississippi all year. Mild winters with rare hard freezes. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward grain and feeder seed.

Humid subtropical, with the Delta in the northwest, piney woods in the south and a short Gulf coastline.

Nesting in Mississippi

Across Mississippi, house sparrows typically nest from March–August. Nest site: messy grass nest in any cavity, including nest boxes. Females lay 4–6 eggs, incubate for 10–14 days, and young leave the nest after 14 days.

Long, hot, humid summers.

House Sparrows don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as red maple for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.

Native Mississippi plants that attract house sparrows

Of the regional native plants we track for Mississippi, these 6 provide food or cover house sparrows use:

Wild bergamot

Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Purple coneflower

Echinacea purpurea · Perennial

Leave seed heads up through winter for goldfinches.

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta · Perennial

Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.

Little bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium · Perennial

Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.

Tall goldenrod

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Red maple

Acer rubrum · Tree

Among the first spring bloomers; early insects for returning migrants.

Feeding house sparrows through the Mississippi year

An introduced species that evicts bluebirds and kills nestlings; use 1 1/2 in bluebird holes, monitor boxes, and avoid millet if it's a problem.

Best foods: Millet, Cracked corn.
In Mississippi's winter: Mild winters with rare hard freezes.

Full diet breakdown for house sparrows · Best feeder for house sparrows

Frequently asked

Are house sparrows in Mississippi year-round?

Yes. House Sparrows are year-round residents in Mississippi.

When do house sparrows nest in Mississippi?

Nesting in Mississippi typically runs March–August, with 2–4 per season. Clutches are 4–6 eggs, incubated for 10–14 days.

What native plants attract house sparrows in Mississippi?

Wild bergamot, Purple coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Red maple are native plants in Mississippi that provide food or cover for house sparrows.

Other backyard birds in Mississippi

Northern Cardinal Eastern Bluebird Carolina Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Blue Jay House Finch Purple Finch Ruby-throated Hummingbird Carolina Wren Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-headed Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Orchard Oriole Pine Siskin Indigo Bunting Painted Bunting Eastern Towhee Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Chimney Swift Yellow-rumped Warbler Pine Warbler Eastern Screech-Owl Wood Thrush Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird European Starling Rufous Hummingbird White-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Eurasian Collared-Dove

Sources

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.