Clay-colored Sparrow

The Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) is a modestly adorned New World sparrow, distinguished by its light brown upperparts and pale underparts, with a subtle interplay of darker streaks adorning its back. A pale crown stripe sits regally atop a dark brown crown, flanked by a white line above the eyes and a contrasting dark line through them. A light brown cheek patch graces its face, while brown wings, adorned with wing bars, complete the ensemble. The bird's bill is short and pale, tipped with darkness, and its neck dons a cloak of grey. A long tail adds a final flourish to its silhouette.

Identification Tips

Upon closer inspection, one may note the Clay-colored Sparrow's bill, pale with a dark tip, and the grey at the back of its neck. The bird's long tail is a distinguishing feature, and its overall length ranges from 5.1 to 6 inches (130–150 mm), with a wingspan of approximately 7.5 inches (190 mm).

Habitat

The breeding grounds of the Clay-colored Sparrow are found in shrubby open areas and jack pine woods, a habitat that spans across central Canada and the central northern United States, reaching east to the Great Lakes. This species is known to be expanding its territory further eastward.

Distribution

These sparrows are migratory, traveling in flocks to the warmer climes of southern Texas and Mexico when the northern chill sets in.

Behaviour

On the ground is where the Clay-colored Sparrow is most at home, foraging for seeds and insects with a preference for small flocks outside the nesting season. During breeding, these birds may venture far from their nests to feed, though they do not defend their feeding territories.

Song & Calls

The male's song, a mechanical and buzzy "Bzzzz bzzzz za za," is a declaration of his dominion over his nesting territory, often delivered from an open perch.

Breeding

The nest of the Clay-colored Sparrow is an open cup, discreetly placed on the ground or low within a shrub. It is crafted from grasses and lined with finer materials or hair. The female lays a clutch of three to five splotched blue-green eggs, which she incubates for a period of 11 days. However, the specter of parasitism by the brown-headed cowbird looms, often leading to the abandonment of the nest.

Similar Species

In non-breeding plumage, the Clay-colored Sparrow bears a resemblance to the Chipping Sparrow and Brewer's Sparrow, and it is not uncommon for them to form mixed flocks with these species outside of the breeding season.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Clay-colored Sparrow consists mainly of seeds and insects, which they forage for on the ground. Their feeding habits are sociable outside of the nesting season, often seen in the company of small flocks.

Conservation status

The Clay-colored Sparrow is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival.