The Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) is a small, slender sparrow that is found across much of North America. With their crisp black, white, and rusty-red markings, these birds are a familiar sight at backyard feeders during the summer months. But despite their widespread distribution, Chipping Sparrows have been declining in numbers in recent decades. This has led some people to wonder – are Chipping Sparrows becoming rare?
What is a Chipping Sparrow?
The Chipping Sparrow is a small songbird, measuring just 4.5-5.5 inches in length and weighing about 0.4 ounces. They have a gray face and rusty cap, black eye line, and black bill. Their underparts are pale gray and their back is streaked black and brown. They have a distinct white line above their eye, white outer tail feathers which are visible during flight, and a rusty colored crown.
Chipping Sparrows breed across Canada, the United States, and down into Mexico. They winter primarily in the southern United States and Mexico. They prefer open habitats with scattered trees and shrubs, including forest edges, yards, parks, and agricultural areas.
Chipping Sparrow Diet and Behavior
Chipping Sparrows mainly eat seeds and insects. During the breeding season, they feed extensively on insects but switch to consuming more seeds and fruits in the winter. They typically forage on the ground or in low bushes and trees.
These birds are very social and form large flocks outside of breeding season. Their song is a series of rapid, high-pitched trills. Males sing persistently from treetops to defend their breeding territories.
Chipping Sparrows build small, cup-shaped nests in the branches of trees or shrubs. The female incubates the eggs and cares for the young, while the male defends the territory and brings food. They raise one to two broods per season.
Chipping Sparrow Population Trends
Over the past several decades, Chipping Sparrow populations have been declining across many parts of their range according to data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey.
Between 1966 and 2015, Chipping Sparrows declined at an average rate of -0.7% per year across their range in the U.S. and Canada. Their population fell by an estimated 26% during this time period.
However, trends have varied regionally:
Northeast
In the northeastern U.S. states, Chipping Sparrow populations declined at an average annual rate of -1.67% between 1966 and 2015. This represents a cumulative decline of 50% over five decades.
Midwest
In the Midwest, their numbers decreased at a rate of -0.41% per year, resulting in a cumulative decline of 12%.
Western States
Their populations increased in western states like California at an average rate of +0.47% annually.
Southern States
In the south from Texas to Florida, Chipping Sparrows experienced an average decline of -0.2% per year.
Western Provinces
They increased in abundance in Canada’s western provinces like British Columbia at a yearly rate of +0.57%.
Eastern Provinces
However, they declined in eastern Canadian provinces such as Ontario at an annual rate of -1.19%.
Overall, the data shows the most precipitous and consistent declines occurring in northeastern states. Chipping Sparrow numbers were most stable or increasing in western North America.
Why Are Chipping Sparrows Declining?
Scientists are not certain what is causing Chipping Sparrows to decline across much of their breeding range. Several potential factors may be contributing:
Habitat Loss
Loss of their preferred brushy, open habitats to urbanization and agricultural intensification may be reducing nesting areas in some regions. Chipping Sparrows rely on these open shrubby habitats with scattered trees.
Increased Urbanization
More land development for housing and roads decreases their nesting and foraging grounds. Although they can adapt to some urban areas, increased development may be outpacing their ability to adjust.
Increased Predation
Higher numbers of predators like cats, raccoons, and jays associated with human settlements may be increasing nest failures for Chipping Sparrows.
Climate Change
Changing precipitation patterns and increased droughts in some areas may be impacting their food supplies and reproductive success. Hotter temperatures can also lead to heat stress.
Pesticide Use
Exposure to pesticides and herbicides may be reducing their insect food sources and indirectly harming Chipping Sparrow reproduction and survival.
Disease
West Nile Virus emerged as a threat to many North American bird species in the late 1990s. Chipping Sparrows are susceptible to this disease which is often fatal for songbirds. West Nile may have contributed to declines in areas where it is common.
The cumulative impacts of these stressors may explain decreasing Chipping Sparrow numbers, especially in the Northeast. More research is needed to pinpoint the main drivers.
Chipping Sparrow Conservation Status
Despite population declines, the Chipping Sparrow is still considered a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This means they are not currently vulnerable to extinction.
Their large range and total global population size does not yet trigger immediate conservation action. Worldwide, there are estimated to be about 120 million Chipping Sparrows.
However, experts recommend continued monitoring due to declining trends. The species was considered a Common Bird in Steep Decline by Partners in Flight. Their decreasing populations may warrant higher conservation priority in the future if declines continue.
How to Attract Chipping Sparrows
Here are some tips to attract Chipping Sparrows to your yard:
Provide Open Habitat
Chipping Sparrows favor yards with a mix of open ground, low shrubs, and scattered small trees. Avoid dense, overgrown areas.
Offer Seeds and Fruit
Stockfeeders with millet, cracked corn, hulled sunflower seeds, nyjer, and suet. Offer fruits like raisins. Provide a water source like a birdbath.
Add Nesting Sites
Place small birdhouses or nesting platforms between 4-10 feet high in trees or shrubs. Keep cats indoors.
Supply Insect Food
During spring and summer, Chipping Sparrows feed insects to their young. Draw insects by planting native wildflowers and leaving brush piles.
Limit Pesticide Use
Reduce or eliminate pesticide use which decreases the insects that Chipping Sparrows rely on for food.
Provide Shelter
leave some leaf litter and brush undisturbed to create cover. Retain some dead trees or branches for perches.
By following these tips, you can make your yard attractive to Chipping Sparrows and support their populations. Observing them on migration or during the breeding season is a reward for providing suitable habitat.
Chipping Sparrow FAQs
What do Chipping Sparrows look like?
Chipping Sparrows are small, slender songbirds around 5 inches long. They have a rusty cap, black eye line, gray face, and black bill. Their underparts are pale gray. They have a distinct white line above their eye.
Where do Chipping Sparrows live?
Chipping Sparrows breed across Canada, the U.S., and into Mexico. They migrate between their breeding range and wintering grounds in the southern U.S and Mexico. They are widespread in summer across North America.
What kind of habitat do Chipping Sparrows prefer?
Chipping Sparrows favor open scrubby areas with scattered trees and shrubs, including forest edges, overgrown fields, yards, and parks. They avoid dense forest as well as treeless areas.
What do Chipping Sparrows eat?
Chipping Sparrows primarily eat seeds, grains, fruits, and insects. During the breeding season they eat more insects, switching to seeds and fruit in winter.
How many eggs does a Chipping Sparrow lay?
A typical Chipping Sparrow clutch contains 3-4 pale blue or greenish eggs with dark markings. The female incubates the eggs for 11-13 days before they hatch.
Are Chipping Sparrows endangered?
No, Chipping Sparrows are still considered a species of Least Concern by conservation groups. Their populations have declined in parts of their range but they remain common overall.
Why are Chipping Sparrow numbers decreasing?
Habitat loss, climate change, pesticide use, urbanization, disease, and increased predators may be contributing to declines. More research is needed on the specific causes.
How can I attract Chipping Sparrows to my yard?
You can attract Chipping Sparrows by providing a mix of open ground, shrubs, and small trees. Offer seeds and fruits at feeders. Supply insects by planting native flowers and leaving brush piles. Avoid pesticide use.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chipping Sparrows are still common songbirds, but they have experienced significant population declines in the Northeastern U.S as well as parts of the Midwest and Canada. Their numbers remain stable or are increasing in western North America.
Habitat loss, climate change, disease, and other factors may be contributing to declines where they are occurring. However, Chipping Sparrows are not currently at risk of extinction. Maintaining suitable breeding habitat and reducing pesticide use and predation threats can help support their populations.
By providing the right mix of food, nesting sites, cover, and insect availability, anyone can make their yard attractive to Chipping Sparrows. These active little songsters bring color and vitality with their rusty caps and sweet trills. Ensuring their habitat needs are met both locally and across their range can help reverse population declines and allow Chipping Sparrows to continue brightening backyards for generations to come.