Chipping Sparrow

A long, rapid, monotone trill on a single pitch, often compared to the sound of a sewing machine’s whir. This “buzzy” trill lasts several seconds and is repeated frequently by males from high perches in spring.

Breeds across much of North America. Northern populations are migratory – birds from Canada and the northern U.S. fly to the southern U.S. and Mexico for winter. In milder southern parts of its range, Chipping Sparrows can be found year-round. They form loose flocks in the nonbreeding season and often mix with other sparrow species then. Come spring, they return early to breeding areas and males immediately begin singing to establish territories.

Extremely adaptable to human-altered landscapes. Originally favored open pine woods and edges, but now common in suburban settings and parks. Breeds anywhere grassy open areas meet trees or shrubs: woodland edges, garden lawns with shade trees, orchards, cemeteries, etc. Often builds nests in evergreen shrubs or conifers (pines, spruces) but also uses deciduous trees. In winter, often forages in flocks on the ground of weedy fields, roadsides, and woods edges, and readily visits backyard feeders.

Males arrive on breeding grounds in early spring and begin singing their trilling songs from high perches. Nesting occurs from late spring into summer; they commonly raise two broods (and in the south sometimes three) in one season. By late summer, they molt into nonbreeding plumage. In fall, they migrate (if northern) or form winter flocks. During winter, they spend days feeding on the ground and roost in evergreens at night, largely silent until the cycle starts again in spring.

Chipping Sparrows are slim, long-tailed sparrows. Breeding adults have a rusty cap, crisp white eyebrow, black eye-line, and clean gray underparts. In nonbreeding plumage the face and crown soften to brown and buff, but adults stay mostly plain below; heavily streaked birds are juveniles.