Chipping Sparrow

The Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina, is a small, slender bird with a sharp, sweet voice that graces most of North America. It is a bird of dual personas, donning a striking reddish cap during the breeding season, which fades to a more subdued brown in the off-season. The upper parts of this bird are an orangish-rust color, while the underparts and head are a cool gray.

Identification Tips

Adult Chipping Sparrows in breeding plumage are identifiable by their reddish cap, white supercilium, and a distinct black line through the eye. In their nonbreeding attire, they sport a brown cap and less pronounced facial markings. Juveniles are streaked below and share the dark eye-line characteristic of the adults, though their cap and eyebrow are less distinct. These birds measure between 4.7–5.9 inches in length, weigh 0.4–0.6 ounces, and have a wingspan of approximately 8.3 inches.

Habitat

In the western parts of their range, Chipping Sparrows favor coniferous forests for breeding, while in the east, they are more eclectic, choosing woodlands, farmlands, parks, and gardens.

Distribution

This species is widespread and common across North America, with populations migrating southwards to overwinter in Mexico and the southern United States, returning northward in the spring.

Behaviour

Chipping Sparrows are sociable in the winter, forming flocks that may include other bird species. They forage primarily on the ground but will also clamber on plants and trees to feed on buds and small arthropods.

Song & Calls

The Chipping Sparrow's song is a variable trill, with some birds producing a fast, buzzing trill and others a slower, tapping-like trill. The flight call is a piercing, pure-tone "seen?" that lasts about 50 milliseconds and is a common sound in the night sky during migration seasons.

Breeding

Breeding begins in late April and May, with the male arriving first to establish territory and attract a mate with his song. The female constructs the nest, often in a tree, using grass, rootlets, plant fiber, and animal hair. The clutch consists of two to seven eggs, which are incubated by the female for 10 to 15 days.

Similar Species

The Chipping Sparrow can be confused with other sparrows, but its breeding plumage cap and distinctive song set it apart.

Diet and Feeding

Chipping Sparrows feed on seeds throughout the year, with insects comprising a significant portion of their diet during the breeding season. They forage on the ground in various habitats, including covered areas and field edges.

Conservation status

The Chipping Sparrow is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable population across its range.