chipping sparrow (Spizella passerina)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 4.75 inches

• Dark, conical bill

• Rusty crown

• White supercilium and black eyeline

• Gray face and underparts

• Tan back with dark streaks

• Brown wings with wing bars

• Gray rump

• Slim, forked tail

• Sexes similar

• Fall and winter plumage has different head pattern: brown crown with         fine dark streaks and pale median crown stripe, buff supercilium, pale           bill with dark tip and brownish cheeks

• Juvenile plumage (summer and fall) similar to winter but duller with     streaked underparts

Similar species:

Chipping sparrows are similar to other sparrows with rusty crowns but

have a white supercilium and black eye line in spring and summer.
Field sparrow has a pink bill and white eye ring. Swamp sparrow has
rusty wings and a dingy breast. American tree sparrow has a dark breast

spot. In Fall and Winter, chipping sparrows are quite similar to clay-color-

ed and brewer's sparrows. Often, they retain some rust in the crown and

can be identified by that field mark. Clay-colored and brewer's sparrows

have pale lores and brown rumps. Clay-colored sparrow has more distinct

whisker and a buffier breast. Brewer's sparrow has an indistinct supercilium

and an eye ring.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Neotropical migrant
Breeding Habitat: Urban
Nest Location: Mid-story/canopy nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 4
Length of Incubation: 11-14 days
Days to Fledge: 10(8-12)
Number of Broods: 2
Diet: Mostly seeds; lesser quantities of insects

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May U
      Su - Summer: June, July, August U
      Fall: September, October, November C

      Winter: December, January, February R

 

 

Back to Inventory of Bird Families and Species