Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)
Description: Chipping sparrows have different color patterns depending on the season. Summer chipping sparrows have white-gray underbellies with a black line through their eye and a rufous colored cap. Winter chipping sparrows have dark, streaked underparts with a black line through their eye and a subdued reddish brown cap. All chipping sparrows are slender and have a fairly long tail and medium-sized beak that is considered small for a sparrow.
Habitat: Chipping sparrows live in open woodlands, forests, and grassy clearings. They are also found in parks, along roadsides and near feeders.
Diet: Chipping sparrows are omnivorous but mainly eat seeds, grasses and herbs. In addition, they will sometimes eat insects and small fruits.
Behaviors:
Miscellaneous:
Habitat: Chipping sparrows live in open woodlands, forests, and grassy clearings. They are also found in parks, along roadsides and near feeders.
Diet: Chipping sparrows are omnivorous but mainly eat seeds, grasses and herbs. In addition, they will sometimes eat insects and small fruits.
Behaviors:
- They feed on the ground and take cover in shrubs
- They sing from tree tops to attract potential mates
- They hop or run through grasses in search of seeds
Miscellaneous:
- They may be seen on alpine tundra where they travel to molt
- Their nests have been found in odd places such as on strands of chili peppers, and hanging baskets laden with moss