Corn Bunting vs Chipping Sparrow

Corn Bunting

Emberiza calandra

How to recognise a corn bunting?

General appearance

The corn bunting is a robust bird measuring approximately 16-19 cm in length. It possesses a distinctively stout, yellowish bill and a thick neck. The plumage boasts a brownish coloration interspersed with darker streaks and its underparts possess a whitish hue. The torso appears somewhat bulged, with rounded wings and a rather blunt tail. During flight, their short wings flutter quickly.

Male vs female

Male and female corn buntings are virtually indistinguishable by physical appearance alone as both sexes possess similar plumage coloring and size. However, behavioral differences can be used to tell them apart. Males are known for their unique song which sounds like jangling keys, used primarily for mating calls. Males are also territorial during breeding season.

Juvenile

Juvenile corn buntings resemble adults in size, but their plumage has a more ruffled appearance and is slightly paler. They lack the darker streaking seen in adults until they mature. Juvenile birds also lack the bold territorial and vocal behaviors of adult males until they reach sexual maturity.

Size

6.7 - 7.5 in/1.1 - 2.4 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

Corn buntings primarily inhabit open farmland and rugged grasslands across Eurasia. They prefer cereals crops, margins of fields, and pastureland for nesting.

Additional range

In unexpected environments, corn buntings may be found in shrublands, woodlands or even sandy coasts. They are adaptable to a temperate maritime climate as observed in Scotland and Northern Europe.

Range Map

What do corn buntings like to eat?

Natural diet

Corn buntings primarily consume seeds and grains from various grasses and cereal crops like wheat and oats. Additionally, they feed on insects, especially during the breeding season, to provide necessary protein. Common insects in their diet include beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers.

Bird feeders

While corn buntings do not frequently visit bird feeders, they may occasionally eat common offerings such as millet, cracked corn, and mixed bird seed provided in open tray feeders, which mimic their natural foraging habits.

What does a corn bunting sound like?

The Corn Bunting produces a distinctive jangling song, often likened to jingling keys, comprised of repeated phrases with several notes. Its typical call is a sharp 'tik'. This bird is known for mimicking the sounds of other birds and incorporating them into its song. The song is sung from a high perch or in flight and is particularly prominent during the breeding season. The male's song, used to attract females, can last for several minutes. Their vocalizations are less active during winter.

Song

Audio by Lawrence Shove

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

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Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

How to recognise a chipping sparrow?

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

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Chipping Sparrow primarily breeds in open woods, conifers, forest edges, and savannas with scattered conifers.

Additional range

It has adapted to altered habitats like suburbs, city parks, orchards, pastures, farms, and towns. In winter, it occupies open woods, farmland, brush, and thickets.

Range Map

What do chipping sparrows like to eat?

Natural diet

The chipping sparrow's natural diet consists mostly of insects and seeds, with variations depending on the season. In the summer, it primarily feeds on insects such as grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles, leafhoppers, and true bugs, in addition to some spiders. During the fall and winter months, the sparrow's diet shifts more towards seeds, including those from grasses, weeds, and occasionally some waste grain.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, chipping sparrows are commonly attracted to offerings like sunflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn. These supplements can provide additional nutrients, particularly during colder months when natural food sources are less abundant.

What does a chipping sparrow sound like?

The Chipping Sparrow's vocalizations are distinctive, characterized predominantly by a thin musical trill, consisting of a single note. This bird’s song closely resembles the rhythmic whir of a sewing machine, presenting a pattern that remains flat and consistent. Its primary call types constitute of a Chirp or Chip, as well as a Trill, providing a unique and instantly recognizable bird song.

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

Song

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

Song

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

Song

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

There's more to learn about Chipping Sparrow

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Corn Bunting

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Chipping Sparrow

Corn Bunting

Emberiza calandra

General appearance

The corn bunting is a robust bird measuring approximately 16-19 cm in length. It possesses a distinctively stout, yellowish bill and a thick neck. The plumage boasts a brownish coloration interspersed with darker streaks and its underparts possess a whitish hue. The torso appears somewhat bulged, with rounded wings and a rather blunt tail. During flight, their short wings flutter quickly.

Male vs female

Male and female corn buntings are virtually indistinguishable by physical appearance alone as both sexes possess similar plumage coloring and size. However, behavioral differences can be used to tell them apart. Males are known for their unique song which sounds like jangling keys, used primarily for mating calls. Males are also territorial during breeding season.

Juvenile

Juvenile corn buntings resemble adults in size, but their plumage has a more ruffled appearance and is slightly paler. They lack the darker streaking seen in adults until they mature. Juvenile birds also lack the bold territorial and vocal behaviors of adult males until they reach sexual maturity.

Size

6.7 - 7.5 in/1.1 - 2.4 oz

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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

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How to tell the Corn Bunting from the Chipping Sparrow

Visual differences

The Corn Bunting (6.7-7.5 inches) is larger and more robust than the Chipping Sparrow (5-5.5 inches). The bunting has a stout yellowish bill, brown plumage with dark streaks, a bulging torso, and rounded wings. In contrast, the sparrow displays a chestnut cap, white eyebrow, black eyeline, gray rump, and a notched to square-tipped tail. The sparrow’s plumage is a mix of black, brown, gray, red, and white. Corn Buntings have a blunt tail, whereas Chipping Sparrows possess more distinctive wing and tail patterns.

Key differences and behavior

Corn Buntings (6.7-7.5 inches, 1.1-2.4 oz) and Chipping Sparrows (5-5.5 inches, 0.4-0.6 oz) differ notably in behavior and habitat preference. Corn Buntings are typical of open farmlands in Eurasia, nest on the ground, and display territorial singing by males during the breeding season. They primarily consume seeds and insects. Conversely, Chipping Sparrows inhabit open woods and urban areas in North America. They exhibit occasional polygamous behavior, building nests in trees or shrubs. Diet-wise, Chipping Sparrows shift from insects in summer to seeds in winter, often visiting bird feeders. Both sexes of both species appear similar, but Corn Bunting males are more vocal and territorial. Corn Buntings are less frequent at feeders than Chipping Sparrows, which adapt well to altered habitats.