American Tree Sparrow

Spizelloides arborea

They breed far north across Arctic Alask… In winter, look for them in weedy fields… Fairly Common Breeding song

Learn to identify the American Tree Sparrow by ear. Master the "teedle-ee, teedle-ee, too?" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“teedle-ee, teedle-ee, too?”

What the American Tree Sparrow sounds like

American Tree Sparrows are crisp little winter sparrows with a rusty cap, a neat dark dot in the middle of the chest, and a bill that looks dipped in ink and honey. They often pop up from snowy weeds with a soft musical tseet, flashing warm rufous and clean gray as they go.

“teedle-ee, teedle-ee, too?”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A sweet, tinkling warble heard on the breeding grounds. It sounds bright and silvery, like a tiny flute spilling quick notes. Often written as “teedle-ee, teedle-ee, too?”.

Don't confuse with:The Chipping Sparrow — chipping sparrow lacks the neat dark spot in the center of the breast.

Where you'll hear it

In winter, look for them in weedy fields, brushy fencerows, hedgerows, and shrubby marsh edges. They like open ground for feeding and dense cover nearby for ducking out of sight.

In much of the U.S., they are birds of late fall through early spring. When snow and cold settle in, small flocks appear in fields and brush, then head back to the tundra to breed.

Similar species

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow lacks the neat dark spot in the center of the breast.

Field Sparrow

Field Sparrow has a plain pink bill, not the two-toned bill of American Tree Sparrow.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Eurasian Tree Sparrow has a bright white cheek with a black cheek patch; American Tree Sparrow has a plain gray face.

American Tree Sparrow song FAQ

What does an American Tree Sparrow sound like?

A sweet, tinkling warble heard on the breeding grounds. It sounds bright and silvery, like a tiny flute spilling quick notes. Listen for the "teedle-ee, teedle-ee, too?" phrase.

How do I tell an American Tree Sparrow from a Chipping Sparrow by sound?

Chipping Sparrow: Chipping Sparrow lacks the neat dark spot in the center of the breast.; Chipping Sparrow usually shows a plainer, finer bill and a slimmer shape.; American Tree Sparrow is chunkier and is far more expected in cold-weather fields and hedgerows..

When is the best time to hear an American Tree Sparrow?

In much of the U.S., they are birds of late fall through early spring. When snow and cold settle in, small flocks appear in fields and brush, then head back to the tundra to breed.