Chipping Sparrow or American Tree Sparrow ?

Song

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

Song

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

There's more to learn about Chipping Sparrow

American Tree Sparrow

Spizelloides arborea

Also known as: Winter Sparrow

How to recognise an American tree sparrow?

General appearance

The American tree sparrow is a small, slender bird with a distinct rusty cap and gray face. A notable brown streak extends through the eye, and the bird has a bicolored bill with a dark upper mandible and yellow lower mandible. Its back and wings are brown with dark streaks, while the underparts are pale gray with a central dark spot on the breast. The tail is long and notched with two white wing bars that stand out.

Male vs female

There is minimal sexual dimorphism in American tree sparrows, meaning males and females look alike. Both genders share the same coloration and markings, making them difficult to distinguish based solely on appearance.

Juvenile

Juvenile American tree sparrows resemble adults but with slightly duller and less distinct markings. Young birds may have a more muted crown and face pattern. As they mature, their plumage becomes more defined, resembling the adults in coloration and characteristics.

Size

5.5 - 6.5 in/0.5 - 1.0 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The American tree sparrow primarily dwells around treelines where the northern forest transitions into tundra, typically within Arctic scrub and willow thickets or in clearings in stunted spruce forests.

Additional range

Unexpectedly, this bird species also inhabits open fields, woodland edges, marshes, and suburban areas during winter. They frequent brushy roadsides and areas with tall shrubs.

Range Map

What do American tree sparrows like to eat?

Natural diet

The American tree sparrow's diet varies seasonally. In winter, it primarily consumes seeds from grasses, weeds, and other plants, while occasionally eating a few insects and berries. During summer, its diet shifts to mostly insects and other small invertebrates, supplemented by a few seeds. The young sparrows are mostly fed insects, providing the necessary nutrition for growth.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, the American tree sparrow often eats seeds, particularly favoring sunflower seeds, millet, and other small seeds commonly available in bird seed mixes. These food sources help supplement their natural diet, especially during the winter months when food is scarce.

What does an American tree sparrow sound like?

The American tree sparrow displays a melodious vocal range. Its typical song pattern starts with 1 or 2 clear notes which transition into a sweet, rapid warble. During winter, its feeding call turns into a silvery 'tsee-ler' sound. Two prominent call types are 'Chirp/Chip' and 'Whistle,' primarily characterized by a falling pattern in pitch.

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Song

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

There's more to learn about American Tree Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

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American Tree Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

General appearance

The Chipping Sparrow is a small 5-5 1/2 inch bird, equivalent to 13-14 cm. Sporting a blend of black, brown, gray, red, and white colors, it has a distinctive chestnut cap, white eyebrow, and black eyeline. Its wings are broad and the tail shape varies from notched, rounded to square-tipped. The bird's rump is gray, distinguishing it from Clay-Colored and Brewer's Sparrows that have brown rumps.

Male vs female

The Chipping Sparrow doesn't exhibit significant sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females have similar appearance. They both have less contrast in winter with their chestnut color partly obscured.

Juvenile

Young Chipping Sparrows are initially streaky and retain some of these streaks into fall. Dull fall juveniles can suggest Clay-Colored Sparrow and Brewer's Sparrow, but the gray rump identifies them as Chipping Sparrows. As they age, they acquire the characteristic colors and patterns of adult Chipping Sparrows.

Size

4.7 - 5.9 in/0.4 - 0.6 oz

There's more to learn about Chipping Sparrow

American Tree Sparrow

Spizelloides arborea

Also known as: Winter Sparrow

General appearance

The American tree sparrow is a small, slender bird with a distinct rusty cap and gray face. A notable brown streak extends through the eye, and the bird has a bicolored bill with a dark upper mandible and yellow lower mandible. Its back and wings are brown with dark streaks, while the underparts are pale gray with a central dark spot on the breast. The tail is long and notched with two white wing bars that stand out.

Male vs female

There is minimal sexual dimorphism in American tree sparrows, meaning males and females look alike. Both genders share the same coloration and markings, making them difficult to distinguish based solely on appearance.

Juvenile

Juvenile American tree sparrows resemble adults but with slightly duller and less distinct markings. Young birds may have a more muted crown and face pattern. As they mature, their plumage becomes more defined, resembling the adults in coloration and characteristics.

Size

5.5 - 6.5 in/0.5 - 1.0 oz

There's more to learn about American Tree Sparrow

How to tell the Chipping Sparrow from the American Tree Sparrow

Visual differences

The Chipping Sparrow and American Tree Sparrow have distinct visual differences. The Chipping Sparrow is smaller, measuring 5 to 5.5 inches with a chestnut cap, white eyebrow, and black eyeline, and a gray rump. In contrast, the American Tree Sparrow is 5.5 to 6.5 inches, featuring a rusty cap, gray face, brown eyestreak, and bicolored bill. It also displays a central dark breast spot and distinct white wing bars. The Chipping Sparrow's markings are more muted in winter, while the American Tree Sparrow maintains its contrasting patterns year-round.

Key differences and behavior

The Chipping Sparrow and American Tree Sparrow exhibit distinct behaviors despite similar appearances. Chipping Sparrows thrive in open woods, forest edges, and suburban areas, showcasing polygamous mating behaviors. They prefer building nests in trees, varying between 15 to 60 feet above ground, with females primarily constructing them. Their omnivorous diet shifts from insects in summer to seeds in winter, complemented by offerings at feeders like millet and sunflower seeds. Conversely, the American Tree Sparrow inhabits Arctic scrub and tundra regions, often nesting on the ground in dense shrubs or open tundra. Monogamous, with males establishing territories through song, they share chick-feeding responsibilities. They primarily consume seeds during winter, turning to insects in summer. Both species frequent bird feeders in winter, seeking sunflower seeds and millet, yet the American Tree Sparrow's need to consume 30% of its body weight daily is noteworthy.

Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!

Chipping Sparrow vs Field Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

A tiny forager with a crisp, trilling song.

Field Sparrow

American Tree Sparrow vs Song Sparrow

American Tree Sparrow

A winter feeder visitor with a tiny chestnut cap.

Song Sparrow

A backyard troubadour with a rich, musical song.

American Tree Sparrow vs Field Sparrow

American Tree Sparrow

A winter feeder visitor with a tiny chestnut cap.

Field Sparrow

American Tree Sparrow vs Lark Sparrow

American Tree Sparrow

A winter feeder visitor with a tiny chestnut cap.

Lark Sparrow