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Species Accounts
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Chipping Sparrow
(Spizella passerina)
Banded July 12, 1997 - Carmel, Indiana
Recaptured same location July 15, 1998
General Information
The Chipping Sparrow is a resident of the southern US and Mexico with isolated
populations in some Central American nations. During the breeding season, it extends it
range throughout most of North America as far north as the Northwest Territories, the
Yukon and eastern Alaska.
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Chipping Sparrows are common breeders over
most of North America, usually in close association with human habitations. |
Figure 1 - Adult Female
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Figure 2 - Adult Female
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Their song is commonly heard during the
breeding season. It lasts several seconds and sounds like a dry trill. It reminds some of
the persistent, repetitive sound of a sewing machine. |
Males and females are similar in appearance,
with a rusty cap, a black line through the eye, gray rump and black bill. |
Figure 3 - Adult Female
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Figure 4 - Juvenile Birds
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Juvenile birds are heavily streaked, but the
black line through the eye is still noticeable. |
The flight feathers are rusty brown. |
Figure 5 - Flight Feathers
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Figure 6 - Upper Wing
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Greater coverts and middle coverts are rusty
with edges of beige or white. |
The tail of this smallish species is brown
and is distinctly notched. |
Figure 7 - Tail Feathers
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Figure 8 - Flight Feathers
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In winter months, the Chipping
Sparrow withdraws to the southern US and northern Mexico. |
During the breeding season, the female
develops a bare patch on her abdomen. During incubation, this region fills with fluids
that enable the female to transfer body heat to the eggs. After the breeding season, the
fluids are absorbed, and new feathers grow in. |
Figure 9 - Brood Patch
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Nesting Behavior
Chipping Sparrows usually select a pine tree to build a cup nest of dead grasses and
weeds. From 3-5 eggs light blue eggs are laid and incubated by the female. Young leave the
nest and are able to fly by about the 14th day. Two broods may be produced during a single
breeding season.
Banding Recoveries
According to records at the Bird Banding Laboratory in Laurel MD, a total of 209,257
Chipping Sparrows have been banded since 1955. Of these, 7,208 have been recovered. This
is a recovery rate of 3.44%.
Conservation Status
Although a frequent cowbird host, Chipping Sparrow populations seem to be holding
steady. This species seems to have benefited from urbanization and clearing of the forests
of North America. The Breeding Bird Survey data shows a population decline in the western
US, and an increase in the central US. Christmas Bird Count data shows a population
increase.
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Any use of these images must have permission of CWBO. |
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