Stan Tekiela's Birding for Beginners by Stan Tekiela

Author:Stan Tekiela
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781647551223
Publisher: Adventure Publications
Published: 2020-02-14T16:00:00+00:00

Look for the central dark spot on the chest

Song Sparrow

Melospiza melodia

      Size: 5–6" (13–15 cm)

      Male: A common brown sparrow with heavy dark streaks on the chest coalescing into a central dark spot.

   Female: same as male

  Juvenile: similar to adult, with a finely streaked chest; lacks a central dark spot

      Nest: cup; female builds; 2 broods per year

     Eggs: 3–4; blue to green with red-brown markings

When Seen: year-round

      Food: insects, seeds; only rarely comes to ground feeders with seeds

  Compare: Similar to other brown sparrows. Look for the heavily streaked chest with a central dark spot to help identify the Song Sparrow.

Stan’s Notes: There are many subspecies of this bird, but the dark spot in the center of the chest appears in every variety. A constant songster, repeating its loud, clear song every few minutes. The song varies from region to region but has the same basic structure. Sings from thick shrubs to defend a small territory, beginning with three notes and finishing up with a trill. A ground feeder, look for it to “double-scratch” with both feet at the same time to expose seeds. When the female builds a new nest for a second brood, the male often takes over feeding the first brood. Unlike many other sparrow species, Song Sparrows rarely flock together. A common host of the Brown-headed Cowbird.

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