Arkansas · Winter visitor

White-crowned Sparrows in Arkansas

When white-crowned sparrows are present in Arkansas, when they nest, which native Arkansas plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 6b–8b yard.

New World sparrows (Passerellidae)White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrys
Status in Arkansas
Winter visitor
Nesting window
Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones
USDA 6b–8b

When to expect white-crowned sparrows in Arkansas

In Arkansas, white-crowned sparrows are winter visitors rather than breeders. Mild winters with occasional ice storms that make suet and sheltered feeders critical for a few days at a time. While here they rely on seeds.

Humid subtropical, with the Ozark and Ouachita highlands in the northwest and the flat Mississippi Delta in the east.

Native Arkansas plants that attract white-crowned sparrows

Of the regional native plants we track for Arkansas, these 7 provide food or cover white-crowned 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.

New England aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae · Perennial

Late nectar for insects and fall seed for 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 white-crowned sparrows through the Arkansas year

A classic winter sparrow of western yards and southern farmland.

  • Best foods: Millet, Sunflower chips.
  • In Arkansas's winter: Mild winters with occasional ice storms that make suet and sheltered feeders critical for a few days at a time.

Full diet breakdown for white-crowned sparrows · Best feeder for white-crowned sparrows

Frequently asked

Are white-crowned sparrows in Arkansas year-round?

No. White-crowned Sparrows are winter visitors in Arkansas and do not typically nest there.

What native plants attract white-crowned sparrows in Arkansas?

Wild bergamot, Purple coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Red maple are native plants in Arkansas that provide food or cover for white-crowned sparrows.

White-crowned Sparrows in other regions

Other backyard birds in Arkansas

Sources

  1. White-crowned Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. White-crowned Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. White-crowned Sparrow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — Arkansas
  5. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  6. 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.