Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

HOW TO IDENTIFY:

* Length: 4.75 inches
* Dark, conical bill
* Rusty crown
* White supercilium and black eyeline
* Gray face and underparts
* Tan back with dark streaks
* Brown wings with wing bars
* Gray rump
* Slim, forked tail
* Sexes similar
* Fall and Winter plumage has different head pattern: brown crown with fine dark streaks and pale median crown stripe, buff supercilium, pale bill with dark tip and brownish cheeks
* Juvenile plumage (Summer and Fall) similar to Winter but duller with streaked underparts

Similar species:

Chipping Sparrows are similar to other sparrows with rusty crowns but have a white supercilium and black eye line in Spring and Summer. Field Sparrow has a pink bill and white eye ring. Swamp Sparrow has rusty wings and a dingy breast. American Tree Sparrow has a dark breast spot. In Fall and Winter, Chipping Sparrows are quite similar to Clay-colored and Brewer's Sparrows. Often, they retain some rust in the crown and can be identified by that field mark. Clay-colored and Brewer's Sparrows have pale lores and brown rumps. Clay-colored Sparrow has more distinct whisker and a buffier breast. Brewer's Sparrow has an indistinct supercilium and an eye ring.