Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
Also called sparrow.
The default streaky brown sparrow across most of the continent, and the central breast spot is the fastest way in. Plumage varies enormously by region — pale and rufous in the southwest, dark and sooty in the Pacific Northwest.
- Size
- Sparrow-sized — 12–17 cm
- Bill
- Short and conical
- Where
- yard, marsh, feeder, open field
- Season
- year round
What it looks like
Heavily streaked brown above and white below with coarse brown streaks converging into a dark central spot on the chest. A brown-and-grey striped face with a broad grey eyebrow.
The checks that confirm it
- A dark central spot where the breast streaks converge.
- Coarse streaking below, not fine.
- Broad grey eyebrow with a brown stripe above it.
- Pumps its tail in flight.
Voice
Three or four clear introductory notes, then a jumbled trill. Highly variable between individuals.
Attracting it
Millet, sunflower hearts and cracked corn on the ground or a low platform.
Confused with
Female house sparrow is plain and unstreaked below with no breast spot and a much plainer face.
Finer streaking on a buffy chest band, a buff eye-ring, and a shyer, skulking manner.
Questions about this bird
How do you identify a song sparrow?
A dark central spot where the breast streaks converge. Coarse streaking below, not fine.
What does a song sparrow sound like?
Three or four clear introductory notes, then a jumbled trill. Highly variable between individuals.
How do you attract a song sparrow?
Millet, sunflower hearts and cracked corn on the ground or a low platform.