Chipping Sparrow

The Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) is a species of new world sparrow, a passerine bird in the family Passerellidae. It is widespread, fairly tame, and common across most of its North American range. Chipping sparrows are social in the winter and form flocks, occasionally interacting with other bird species. In addition to clambering up plants and trees to feed on buds and tiny arthropods, they mostly graze on the ground for seeds and other food items. They prefer coniferous forests in the west of their breeding region, whereas in the east, they prefer woodland, farms, parks, and gardens. The nest is frequently constructed in a tree, and breeding begins in late April or early May.

Adults are gray underneath and an orangish-rust color above throughout the year. Adults have a reddish crown, a nearly white supercilium, and a black trans-ocular line in their alternative (breeding) plumage, running through the eye. Adults in basic (nonbreeding) plumage have a brownish crown, a dusky eyebrow, and a dark eyeliner but are less pronouncedly marked. Below, juvenile chipping sparrows have distinct streaking. They exhibit a dark eyeliner that extends both in front of and behind the eye, much like non-breeding adults. Although variable, the dusky brow and brownish crown are typically hidden in juveniles.