Species-Specific Management (SSM)

White-Throated Sparrow

The white-throated sparrow is a migrant species that is common in Virginia during the fall and winter seasons. Since the sparrow does not breed in Virginia, its population numbers can only be increased by helping the sparrow survive the winter to return to its summer breeding grounds. If the objective is to increase the population of white-throated sparrows, then this can be achieved by improving and providing habitat that contains unfrozen water, adequate cover, and adequate food available during the worst weather conditions and periods of deep snow.

1. White-throated sparrow habitat must contain unfrozen water. This can be achieved in the wild by constructing ponds and other water sources. In the city and backyards, birdbaths can be provided and kept unfrozen by using heaters available at bird supply stores.
2. The bird's habitat must contain adequate cover for protection from predators and the weather. This can be provided in the wild by encouraging dense brushy vegetation or by constructing brush piles near a water source. In the city and backyard, adequate cover can be provided by planting ornamental shrubbery located near a water source. City parks, cemeteries, landscaped business property, suburban backyards and gardens all can provide adequate cover.
3. White-throated sparrow habitat must contain adequate food that is available during the worst weather conditions and periods of deep snow. This can be achieved in all suitable city and suburban habitats by providing elevated bird feeders that are designed to protect the bird seed from weather. This sparrow prefers to forage on the ground but will come to feeders during periods of deep snow. Ornamental plants that could provide an additional food source include holly, honeysuckle, and dogwood.
4. The food sources available to the white-throated sparrow in wild habitats during the winter include the seeds or fruits of ragweed, smartweed, poison-ivy, wild grape, pigweed, greenbrier, chickweed, holly, honeysuckle, and dogwood. During periods of deep snow, all of the above plant seeds or fruits would be available by being elevated above the snow except the seeds of the chickweed. The most important winter food sources of the sparrow are the seeds of the ragweed and the smartweed. By creating and maintaining clearings near the protective cover and the water source to encourage the ragweed and smartweed plants, and adequate winter food supply would be provided.
5. The predators of this sparrow include raptors and domestic cats. Predator control techniques are not an option with raptors, for they are protected by federal law. Predation by domestic cats could be controlled by fencing off sparrow habitat.
6. Population trends could be monitored by accessing information recorded by Audobon's Birdfeeder Watch Programs, plotting counts made by neighborhood groups, or other similar population estimation techniques.
7. Contact local and national bird clubs to provide the public with information on the program and habitat improvement techniques.

A contribution of Ronald L. Koontz, III, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321

Contribution by Kevin Cox.

This Web site is maintained by R. H. Giles, Jr.
Last revision January 17, 2000.