Sparrow birds, encompassing species in the families Passeridae (Old World sparrows) and Passerellidae (New World sparrows), are small, adaptable songbirds found across North America and beyond. Known for their compact size, typically 4–7 inches long, sparrows are often characterized by streaky brown or gray plumage, which helps them blend into their surroundings. Despite their unassuming appearance, they are a diverse group, thriving in a wide range of environments, from bustling urban areas to remote grasslands, making them one of the most familiar bird groups to both casual observers and avid birdwatchers.
Sparrows are primarily granivorous, feeding on seeds from grasses, weeds, and crops, which they forage from the ground or low vegetation. In warmer months, they supplement their diet with insects, providing essential protein for breeding and raising young. Their conical bills are perfectly adapted for cracking seeds, and many species are frequent visitors to backyard feeders, where they eagerly consume millet, sunflower seeds, or cracked corn. This dietary flexibility allows sparrows to exploit varied food sources, contributing to their widespread success across diverse habitats.
Behaviorally, sparrows are known for their social nature, often forming small flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixing with other bird species. Their songs, ranging from simple chirps to melodious trills, serve to attract mates or defend territories, though many species are more secretive during nesting. Sparrows are agile foragers, often seen hopping or scratching in leaf litter to uncover food. Some, like those in urban settings, are bold and approachable, while others in wilder habitats remain elusive, blending into dense vegetation.
Nesting habits among sparrows typically involve constructing cup-shaped nests of grasses, twigs, and feathers, often hidden in shrubs, grasses, or low trees. Females usually lay 3–6 eggs, which are incubated for about 10–14 days, with both parents often sharing chick-rearing duties. Sparrows are prolific breeders, with many species producing multiple broods per season, particularly in warmer climates. Their ability to nest in varied locations, from marsh reeds to urban eaves, enhances their resilience in changing environments.Sparrow populations are generally robust, with millions across North America, thanks to their adaptability to human-altered landscapes like cities, farms, and suburbs.
However, some species face threats from habitat loss, pesticide use reducing food availability, and competition from invasive species like the House Sparrow. Conservation efforts, such as preserving grasslands or wetlands and providing feeders, support their populations. Sparrows’ ecological role as seed dispersers and pest controllers underscores their importance, making them a vital part of North American ecosystems.
Species of Sparrow Birds
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
A non-native species introduced from Europe, the House Sparrow is a chunky bird with a gray crown, black bib (males), and brown, streaky plumage. Common in urban areas, it thrives near human habitation, feeding on seeds, scraps, and insects. Its adaptability and aggressive behavior often displace native birds, making it a familiar sight at feeders and city streets.
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
The Song Sparrow is a medium-sized bird with brown, streaky plumage and a distinctive central breast spot. Found across North America in gardens, marshes, and shrublands, it’s known for its melodious, regionally variable song. It feeds on seeds and insects, often foraging on the ground, and is a frequent visitor to backyards.
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)
This small sparrow has a rusty cap (breeding season), black eye line, and grayish underparts. Common in open woodlands, lawns, and parks, it prefers grassy areas for foraging seeds and insects. Its clear, trilling song and tame demeanor make it a favorite at feeders, especially in summer.
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)
Recognizable by its white throat, yellow lores, and bold head stripes (white or tan morphs), this sparrow inhabits forests, shrublands, and suburban yards. Found in eastern North America, it migrates to the southern U.S. in winter. Its whistled “Oh-sweet-Canada” song is distinctive, and it feeds on seeds and berries.
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)
With bold black-and-white head stripes and a grayish body, the White-crowned Sparrow is striking. It breeds in northern Canada and the western U.S., wintering in the southern U.S. and Mexico. Found in shrubby areas and at feeders, it eats seeds and insects, and its clear, whistling song varies by region.
Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca)
A large, robust sparrow with heavy brown or reddish streaks and a grayish face, the Fox Sparrow prefers dense thickets and coniferous forests. It breeds in northern and western North America, wintering in the southern U.S. It forages by scratching in leaf litter for seeds and insects, with a rich, melodic song.
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)
This small sparrow has a streaky brown body, pale underparts, and a faint yellow lore. Common in grasslands, marshes, and fields across North America, it feeds on seeds and insects while foraging on the ground. Its high, buzzy song is often heard in open habitats, especially during breeding season.
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii)
A shy sparrow with fine brown streaks, a buffy chest, and a grayish face, Lincoln’s Sparrow inhabits wet meadows, bogs, and shrubby areas. Breeding in Canada and the western U.S., it winters in the southern U.S. and Central America. It forages quietly for seeds and insects, with a sweet, warbling song.
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)
This sparrow has a rusty cap, gray face, and dark streaky body, thriving in marshes and wetlands. Found in eastern North America, it breeds in northern regions and winters in the Southeast. It feeds on seeds, insects, and aquatic invertebrates, singing a slow, trilling song from reeds or shrubs.
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)
Often grouped with sparrows (Passerellidae), this bird has a slate-gray or brownish body, white belly, and white outer tail feathers. Common in forests, suburbs, and feeders across North America, it’s nicknamed “snowbird” for its winter appearances. It eats seeds and insects, with a soft, trilling call.
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla)
A small, slender sparrow with a pink bill, rusty cap, and white eye ring, the Field Sparrow favors grassy fields and shrubby edges in eastern North America. It feeds on seeds and insects, often in small flocks. Its song, a series of accelerating whistles, is a hallmark of open habitats.
Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum)
This small, secretive sparrow has a flat head, buffy face, and streaky brown back. Found in grasslands and prairies across North America, it feeds on seeds and insects, especially grasshoppers. Its insect-like, buzzy song is faint, making it harder to spot despite its widespread range.
Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus)
With a streaky brown body, white eye ring, and white outer tail feathers, the Vesper Sparrow inhabits grasslands and fields. Breeding across North America’s interior, it winters in the southern U.S. and Mexico. It forages for seeds and insects, singing a clear, melodious song at dusk.
Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus)
A large sparrow with a bold facial pattern (white, black, and chestnut), the Lark Sparrow is found in open woodlands, grasslands, and deserts of western and central North America. It eats seeds and insects, often foraging openly. Its cheerful, varied song makes it a standout in its range.
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida)
This pale sparrow has a gray nape, brown streaks, and a distinct facial pattern with a white stripe. Breeding in prairies and shrublands of central North America, it winters in Mexico. It feeds on seeds and insects, with a flat, buzzy song often heard in grassy areas.
Brewer’s Sparrow (Spizella breweri)
A small, plain sparrow with fine streaks and a grayish-brown body, Brewer’s Sparrow inhabits sagebrush and arid shrublands of the western U.S. and Canada. It feeds on seeds and insects, blending into its surroundings. Its long, trilling song is a common sound in desert landscapes.
Harris’s Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula)
The largest North American sparrow, it has a black face (breeding), pink bill, and brown-streaked body. Breeding in Arctic Canada, it winters in the central U.S. Great Plains. It favors thickets and feeders, eating seeds and berries, with a simple, whistled song.
Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla)
This sparrow has a striking yellow crown bordered by black in breeding season, with a grayish body. Breeding in Alaska and western Canada, it winters along the Pacific Coast. Found in shrubby areas, it eats seeds and insects, singing a mournful “oh-dear-me” tune.
LeConte’s Sparrow (Ammospiza leconteii)
A small, secretive sparrow with a buffy face, orange streaks, and fine brown markings, it inhabits wet grasslands and marshes in central North America. It forages for seeds and insects low in vegetation. Its faint, insect-like buzz is hard to detect in its reclusive habitat.
Nelson’s Sparrow (Ammospiza nelsoni)
With a bright orange face and gray cheeks, this sparrow thrives in coastal and inland marshes of North America. It breeds in northern regions and winters along coasts. Feeding on seeds and small invertebrates, its short, raspy song is often heard in dense marsh grasses.
Baird’s Sparrow (Centronyx bairdii)
A rare sparrow with a buffy crown, fine streaks, and a pale face, Baird’s Sparrow inhabits shortgrass prairies of the Great Plains. It breeds in the northern U.S. and Canada, wintering in the Southwest and Mexico. It feeds on seeds and insects, with a soft, jingling song.
American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea)
A small sparrow with a rusty cap, gray face, and a distinctive dark spot on its pale breast, the American Tree Sparrow breeds in Arctic tundra and winters in southern Canada and the northern U.S. It favors shrubby areas and feeders, eating seeds and berries. Its high, clear song is a sweet twitter, often heard in flocks during winter.
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata)
This striking sparrow has a black throat, white facial stripes, and a grayish body. Common in deserts and arid scrublands of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, it feeds on seeds and insects, often foraging on the ground. Its tinkling, bell-like song is a hallmark of desert landscapes.
Sagebrush Sparrow (Artemisiospiza nevadensis)
A plain sparrow with a gray head, faint streaks, and a long tail, the Sagebrush Sparrow inhabits sagebrush plains and arid regions of the western U.S. It breeds in the Great Basin and winters in the Southwest. It eats seeds and insects, with a soft, jingling song often delivered from low perches.
Bell’s Sparrow (Artemisiospiza belli)
Similar to the Sagebrush Sparrow but with a darker, more streaked appearance and a bold white eye ring, Bell’s Sparrow is found in coastal sage scrub and chaparral of California and Baja California. It forages for seeds and insects, singing a high, tinkling song in its shrubby habitat.
Rufous-winged Sparrow (Peucaea carpalis)
This sparrow has a plain gray face, rusty wing patches, and a streaky brown back. Found in desert grasslands of the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico, it feeds on seeds and insects. Its simple, repetitive song is often heard in sparse, arid environments.
Cassin’s Sparrow (Peucaea cassinii)
A plain, grayish-brown sparrow with fine streaks and a long tail, Cassin’s Sparrow inhabits grasslands and desert scrub in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. It feeds on seeds and insects, often singing a complex, skylarking song while fluttering high above its territory.
Botteri’s Sparrow (Peucaea botterii)
With a plain, grayish-brown body and faint streaks, Botteri’s Sparrow is found in grasslands and savannas of the southwestern U.S. and Central America. It forages for seeds and insects, staying low in dense grasses. Its song is a series of accelerating chips, often hard to spot due to its secretive nature.
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps)
This sparrow has a rusty crown, gray face, and streaky brown back. Common in rocky hillsides and scrublands of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, it feeds on seeds and insects. Its song, a jumbled series of notes, is delivered from exposed perches like rocks or shrubs.
Five-striped Sparrow (Amphispiza quinquestriata)
A rare sparrow with bold white and black facial stripes and a grayish body, the Five-striped Sparrow is limited to desert scrub in southern Arizona and northern Mexico. It feeds on seeds and insects, singing a high-pitched, insect-like trill from low vegetation.
Black-chinned Sparrow (Spizella atrogularis)
This small sparrow has a gray body, rusty back, and a black chin (breeding males). Found in chaparral and sagebrush of the western U.S. and Mexico, it forages for seeds and insects. Its song, a rapid trill, is a common sound in hilly, shrubby habitats during spring.
Henslow’s Sparrow (Centronyx henslowii)
A secretive sparrow with a flat head, olive-green face, and rusty streaks, Henslow’s Sparrow inhabits tallgrass prairies and wet meadows in the eastern and central U.S. It feeds on seeds and insects, staying hidden in dense grass. Its short, hiccup-like song is faint and easily overlooked.
Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammospiza caudacuta)
With a bright orange face, gray cheeks, and streaky brown back, the Saltmarsh Sparrow is restricted to coastal salt marshes of the eastern U.S. It feeds on seeds, insects, and small crustaceans, foraging in tidal zones. Its buzzy, whispering song is a hallmark of marshy habitats.
Seaside Sparrow (Ammospiza maritima)
This sparrow has a dark, streaky body, yellowish lores, and a long bill, found in coastal marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. It feeds on seeds, insects, and small invertebrates, often in tidal areas. Its raspy, buzzy song is delivered from low perches in reeds.
Olive Sparrow (Arremonops rufivirgatus)
A plain sparrow with an olive-green back, gray head, and faint eye stripe, the Olive Sparrow inhabits dense thickets and brushy areas of southern Texas and Central America. It forages for seeds and insects on the ground, singing a simple, accelerating series of chips.
Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus)
Often classified with sparrows, this species has a bright olive-green back, rusty cap, and white throat. Found in shrubby mountains and sagebrush of the western U.S., it feeds on seeds and insects, scratching in leaf litter. Its cat-like “mew” call and whistled song are distinctive.
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)
With a black head (males), white spots on wings, and rusty flanks, the Spotted Towhee is common in western U.S. shrublands and thickets. It forages for seeds and insects by double-scratching in leaf litter. Its buzzy trill and “chewink” call are heard in dense cover.
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
This large sparrow has a black head (males), white belly, and rusty flanks, found in eastern U.S. forests and shrubby edges. It feeds on seeds, berries, and insects, scratching on the ground. Its “drink-your-tea” song and sharp “chewink” call are distinctive in thickets.
Bachman’s Sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis)
A plain, grayish-brown sparrow with a buffy chest and faint streaks, Bachman’s Sparrow inhabits pine woodlands and grassy clearings in the southeastern U.S. It feeds on seeds and insects, staying low in cover. Its clear, whistled song with trilled notes is a hallmark of pine forests.
Canyon Towhee (Melozone fusca)
A plain, grayish-brown sparrow with a rusty crown and buffy throat, the Canyon Towhee is found in arid canyons and scrublands of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. It forages for seeds and insects on the ground, often in pairs. Its simple, ringing song is heard in desert habitats.
California Towhee (Melozone crissalis)
Similar to the Canyon Towhee but with a darker, more uniform gray-brown body, the California Towhee inhabits coastal chaparral and suburban gardens of California. It feeds on seeds and insects, scratching in leaf litter. Its metallic “chink” call and simple song are common in shrubby areas.
Abert’s Towhee (Melozone aberti)
A large, plain sparrow with a gray-brown body and black face patch, Abert’s Towhee is found in desert riparian zones of the southwestern U.S. It forages for seeds and insects in dense thickets, often near water. Its sharp “peek” call and short, whistled song are heard in arid habitats.