The Chipping Sparrow is a small songbird found throughout much of North America. With their distinctive rusty caps, black eyeline, and white supercilium, Chipping Sparrows are a familiar backyard bird for many. But with several similar sparrow species, it can be tricky for beginners to confidently identify Chipping Sparrows.
What does a Chipping Sparrow look like?
Chipping Sparrows are small, slender sparrows that measure 4.7 to 5.9 inches in length with a wingspan of 7.5 to 9.1 inches. They have a gray breast and white underparts, a reddish brown cap, black eyeline, and white supercilium (eyebrow). Their wings are marked with two pale wing bars. Males and females have similar plumage.
Juvenile Chipping Sparrows have a streakier breast and cap. The cap is more brownish and less distinctive. Once the post-juvenile molt is complete in the fall, they will resemble the adult plumage.
Distinguishing Features
Here are some of the key features to look for when identifying a Chipping Sparrow:
- Bright rusty cap
- Thin black eyeline
- White supercilium
- Gray, unstreaked breast
- Black bill
- Dark eye
- White stripe over eye
- Two pale wingbars
Behavior
Chipping Sparrows are active foragers that hop along the ground searching for seeds and insects. They are a backyard visitor attracted to feeders. You may notice their distinct trilling song as they perch in trees or shrubs. They have a flight pattern of pumping their tail when flying.
Where to Find Chipping Sparrows
Chipping Sparrows breed across Canada, throughout the continental United States, and down into Mexico. They migrate south for the winter, with some remaining along the southern U.S. while most overwinter into Mexico and Central America.
During the breeding season, look for Chipping Sparrows in brushy habitats interspersed with openings like forest edges, overgrown fields, young forest stands, parks, residential areas, and cemeteries. They nest in shrubs or small coniferous trees.
Similar Species
With their rusty cap, Chipping Sparrows can resemble several other sparrow species. Make sure to note all the field marks when making an identification. Here are some birds that may be confused with Chipping Sparrows:
American Tree Sparrow
- Rusty cap
- Dark spot on breast
- Bicolored bill
- No wingbars
The American Tree Sparrow is another small sparrow with a rusty colored cap. However, it lacks the black eyeline and white supercilium of the Chipping Sparrow. It has a prominent dark spot on its breast and a two-toned bill.
Clay-colored Sparrow
- Dull brown cap
- White supercilium
- Buffy breast with fine streaking
The Clay-colored Sparrow shares the Chipping Sparrow’s white supercilium, but its cap is a dull brown and it has finer streaking on its buffy breast. It lacks the bold head markings of the Chipping Sparrow.
Species | Cap Color | Breast | Eyeline | Supercilium |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chipping Sparrow | Bright rusty red | Gray, no streaks | Thin black | White |
American Tree Sparrow | Rusty | Streaked with dark spot | No eyeline | No supercilium |
Clay-colored Sparrow | Dull brown | Buffy with streaks | No eyeline | White |
Field Sparrow
- Pink bill
- Bold face pattern
- Unstreaked gray breast
- Reddish wings
The Field Sparrow shares a gray, unstreaked breast with the Chipping Sparrow. But it has a brighter pink bill, bolder facial pattern with a rufous cheek, and reddish wings.
House Sparrow
- Thicker, rounded head
- Shorter tail
- No wingbars
- Male has black bib
- Tawny brown cap
The male House Sparrow has gray cheeks like the Chipping Sparrow. But it has a black bib, thicker bill, rounded head, and brownish cap. No wingbars help distinguish it.
Songs and Calls
Chipping Sparrows have a very recognizable song and call that can aid in identification. Their song is a dry, rhythmic series of chips. It is often described as sounding like a trilling toy. Their call is a single chip note, from which their name is derived.
Range Map
Here is a range map showing the breeding, wintering, and year-round range of the Chipping Sparrow:
When to See Chipping Sparrows
The best time to spot Chipping Sparrows will depend on your location. In their breeding range across Canada and the northern United States, Chipping Sparrows are most likely to be seen from April through September. They migrate south starting in mid-September through November.
Farther south they may be present year-round. During the winter months they can be seen throughout the southern U.S. states and into Mexico.
Fun Facts
- Chipping Sparrows typically have 2 broods per breeding season.
- The oldest recorded Chipping Sparrow was 11 years, 5 months old.
- Chipping Sparrows get their name from their call, not from eating chips!
- They mainly eat seeds and insects but will occasionally eat fruit as well.
- Chipping Sparrows often forage on the ground under bird feeders to pick up spilled seed.
Conclusion
With their rusty cap, crisp facial pattern, and trilling song, the Chipping Sparrow is a sparrow that every birder should know. They are a widespread species that brings their cheerful presence to backyards across North America. Next time you see a small rusty-capped sparrow, look and listen for the signature clues that identify the Chipping Sparrow.