This little brown job is familiar to most birders: the song sparrow is one of the most widespread sparrow species in North America. Though its bland plumage has a wide range of variations, its exquisite voice is easily recognized.
Common Name:
Scientific Name:
Appearance:
- Bill: Thick, darker upper mandible
- Size: 6 inches long with 10-inch wingspan, long tail
- Colors: Buff, brown, gray, pink, white, black
- Markings: Genders are similar with two thick brown stripes on the crown of the head separated by a thin white notch. The face has a broad gray or white eyebrow, a brown wash on the cheeks and triangular stripes or patches that border a white chin. The chest and flanks are white with thick brown streaking and a “stickpin” mark in the center of the chest. The lower abdomen is white. The back and wings are brown with black or darker brown streaking and the legs are a pale pink.
Foods:
Habitat and Migration:
Song sparrows are a widespread species though they do show much plumage variation. They prefer shrubby habitats such as riparian areas, forest edges, weed grown fields and other low cover, and they can be found throughout all of Canada and the United States. Canadian populations and those in the northern United States migrate seasonally, and southern populations from Texas and Oklahoma to South Carolina and Florida also migrate north during the summer months.
Vocalizations:
The song sparrow’s most recognizable sound is its melodious song, a lengthy series of notes that begins with 2-3 high “twip-twip” notes that lead to a warble with a buzz and chirp finish. The warble notes are the longest of the song. These birds also have a high pitched “chip” alarm call.
Behavior:
Song sparrows are solitary birds, though they can be found in pairs or mixed flocks with other sparrows in the winter. When singing, they will perch in the open, though otherwise they tend to stay in low cover and will forage in trees, shrubs or on the ground. These are curious birds that often respond to “pishing” or recorded calls. Male song sparrows can be aggressive and will chase intruders out of their territory. In flight, song sparrows pump their tail up and down, which can be a useful behavior to observe for identification.
Reproduction:
Song sparrows are usually monogamous and a mated pair will produce 2-6 eggs per brood. The female parent will incubate the eggs for 12-14 days, and both parents feed the altricial young for a further 10-16 days. Mated pairs can produce 2-4 broods per nesting season depending on the climate, with more broods produced in southern populations.
Attracting Song Sparrows:
Song sparrows can become quite tame and readily visit feeders in suburban areas. Birders who provide bird-friendly landscaping with low cover and dense bushes are more likely to attract these birds, and song sparrows will take seeds from platform or ground feeders.
Similar Birds:
- Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)
- Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii)
- Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca)
Photo – Song Sparrow © Alan Vernon
