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Sparrows are small brownish birds that may seem impossible to distinguish to a beginning bird watcher. However, by observing head and breast patterns, habitats, and season of occurrence, sparrow identification is relatively easy. They are ground-feeding seed eaters. Sexes are basically the same.
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Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
At-a-Glance
• Incubation: 11-14 days
• Clutch Size: 3-5 eggs
• Young Fledge: 8-12 days after hatching
• Typical Foods: mostly seeds; some insects
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Description
The small chipping sparrow has a plain gray breast, a solid rusty cap, and most important for identification, a black-and-white eye stripe.
Habitat and Habits
Nicknamed the "chippy," this is a fairly common summer resident of lawns, parks, and areas with large scattered trees, particularly evergreens. It has adapted very well to suburbia, and is quite common in most neighborhoods. The song is a series of short, dry notes repeated so fast as to almost be a trill.
Reproduction and Care of the Young
The bird nests low in a thick tangle of shrubs or vines. The nest is a solid cup of grass and stems. It is almost always fully lined with hair -- horse, dog, or whatever is available. The three to five pale blue eggs are spotted with brown. |
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