An Activity Guide About the Songbirds of British Columbia Family EMBERIZIDAE: Buntings & Sparrows

Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) uses bird feeders FIELD MARKS The Chipping Sparrow is common around most of North America. The male has a grey and black forehead with a chestnut-coloured crown. His back and wings are light brown and streaked with black. He has a whitish stripe above his eyes, and whitish streaks on his throat and underparts. He also has a narrow black stripe through his eye and two whitish wing bars. The female looks similar to the male except that she is duller, with a crown that is streaked with black. Approximate length: 12 cm HABITAT This sparrow lives in open woods, coniferous forest edges, orchards and towns. It has adapted well to human-influenced landscapes, and can often be found in gardens and parks. NESTING The Chipping Sparrow builds its nests in deciduous or coniferous trees or bushes. They are made of grass and weeds, lined with hair and fur. The female lays 3-5 blue eggs that are spotted brown, black and lavender. STATUS Common and widespread. This sparrow was once even more common in towns in the nineteenth century. The House Sparrow, introduced from Europe, took its place as the most common sparrow in cities.