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Song Sparrow
Photos by Bruce
Dayton)
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ORDER:
Passeriformes
FAMILY: Emberizidae
(New World Sparrows - 48 Species)
SPECIES: Song
Sparrow
(Melospiza melodia)
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Song Sparrow |
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The Song Sparrow is one of the most persistent singers throughout the summer months. The male of this species uses its melodious and fairly complex song to declare ownership of its territory and to attract females. Considerable variations in color and size are found in different areas of its range. |
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SIZE |
The Song Sparrow is a small (5-7”), new world sparrow. |
| DESCRIPTION | They have
brown upperparts with heavy brown streaking and white underparts, with
a prominent central dark breast spot (See dark spot below on photo
037077). They have a brown cap, gray face
with a streak through the eye and a long brown rounded tail.
Sexes are similar in appearance. |
| NESTING | Clutch size ranges from 3-6 eggs, which are incubated in 12 to 14 days. Nest building is carried on principally by the female. They build a nest either in a sheltered location on the ground or in trees or shrubs. The basic nest is constructed of leaves, strips of plant bark, weed and grass stems. The lining is of fine grasses, rootlets, and some type of hair. |
| RANGE | The Song Sparrow is found throughout most of North America. They winter in southern U.S. and Mexico. |
| HABITAT | Their favorite habitat is dense and brushy areas and marshes. |
| DIET | Song Sparrows mainly eat insects in the spring and summer and seeds in the fall and winter. They forage on the ground, in shrubs or in very shallow water. |
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| Song Sparrow | |
| Sapsucker
Woods Bird Sanctuary Tompkins County, New York |
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| SgSp_337B_032419 | SgSp_337B_032423 |
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| SgSp_337B_037077 | |
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Song Sparrow Drawing by Louis Agassiz Fuertes |
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| INTERESTING FACTS |
| Distraction Display |
| A behavior demonstrated by a bird that has been disturbed from its eggs or young. It attempts to lure the intruder away from them by calling loudly and acting conspicuously, or even pretending to be injured. Sometimes referred to as “injury-feigning.” |
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| The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2007 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit. |
NOTE: This site will be updated as time and pictures become available.
Visit Mammals of North America
Song
Sparrow
(Melospiza melodia)
Updated 10-23-2008
