Diet
What do swamp sparrows eat?
Insects and seeds from marsh edges.
New World sparrows (Passerellidae)Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgiana
Spring and summer diet
- Beetles, caterpillars, dragonflies and aquatic insects
Fall and winter diet
- Sedge and grass seeds
Best feeder foods
- Millet
- Hulled sunflower (on the ground)
A marsh sparrow that wanders to brushy yards in winter; feeds on the ground under cover.
Where swamp sparrows need winter food
Regions where swamp sparrows are present in the cold months:
Frequently asked
What do swamp sparrows eat?
Insects and seeds from marsh edges.
What is the best food to feed swamp sparrows?
Millet, Hulled sunflower (on the ground).
What do swamp sparrows eat in winter?
Sedge and grass seeds.
Sources
- Swamp Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Swamp Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Swamp Sparrow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
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.