White-crowned Sparrows in Maryland
When white-crowned 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 white-crowned sparrows in Maryland
In Maryland, white-crowned 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.
Humid subtropical on the Chesapeake coastal plain, cooler in the Appalachian west.
Native Maryland plants that attract white-crowned sparrows
Of the regional native plants we track for Maryland, these 8 provide food or cover white-crowned sparrows use:
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Leave seed heads up through winter for goldfinches.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Among the first spring bloomers; early insects for returning migrants.
Feeding white-crowned sparrows through the Maryland year
A classic winter sparrow of western yards and southern farmland.
- 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 white-crowned sparrows · Best feeder for white-crowned sparrows
Frequently asked
Are white-crowned sparrows in Maryland year-round?
No. White-crowned Sparrows are winter visitors in Maryland and do not typically nest there.
What native plants attract white-crowned sparrows in Maryland?
Wild bergamot, Purple coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Sugar maple, Red maple are native plants in Maryland that provide food or cover for white-crowned sparrows.
White-crowned Sparrows in other regions
Other backyard birds in Maryland
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 — 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.