Mississippi · Winter visitor

White-throated Sparrows in Mississippi

When white-throated 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.

New World sparrows (Passerellidae)White-throated SparrowZonotrichia albicollis

Status in Mississippi: Winter visitor
Nesting window: Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones: USDA 7b–9a

When to expect white-throated sparrows in Mississippi

In Mississippi, white-throated sparrows are winter visitors rather than breeders. Mild winters with rare hard freezes. While here they rely on weed seeds, sumac and dogwood fruit.

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

Native Mississippi plants that attract white-throated sparrows

Of the regional native plants we track for Mississippi, these 8 provide food or cover white-throated sparrows use:

Flowering dogwood

Cornus florida · Tree

Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.

Eastern red cedar

Juniperus virginiana · Tree

Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.

Serviceberry

Amelanchier arborea · Tree

Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.

Winterberry

Ilex verticillata · Shrub

Deciduous holly holding red fruit into mid-winter.

Smooth sumac

Rhus glabra · Shrub

Red fruit heads hang on through winter.

Black cherry

Prunus serotina · Tree

Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.

American elderberry

Sambucus canadensis · Shrub

Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.

Arrowwood viburnum

Viburnum dentatum · Shrub

Blue-black fall fruit and dense nesting cover.

Feeding white-throated sparrows through the Mississippi year

White-throats scratch under feeders near thickets; brush piles hold them all winter.

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

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

Frequently asked

Are white-throated sparrows in Mississippi year-round?

No. White-throated Sparrows are winter visitors in Mississippi and do not typically nest there.

What native plants attract white-throated sparrows in Mississippi?

Flowering dogwood, Eastern red cedar, Serviceberry, Winterberry, Smooth sumac, Black cherry, American elderberry, Arrowwood viburnum are native plants in Mississippi that provide food or cover for white-throated 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 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 House Sparrow 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.