Species · GBIF taxon 2492109
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerinaAlso known as Chippy, Hairbird
Chipping Sparrows are slender, long-tailed songbirds easily recognized in spring by their bright rufous caps, crisp white eyebrows, and black eye-lines. These active foragers are common sights on suburban lawns and open woodlands, where they hop rapidly while searching for seeds and small insects. Their song is a dry, mechanical trill that is a hallmark sound of spring mornings across North America.
SongbirdMigratorySuburban
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Caterpillars
- Beetles
- Grass seeds
Predators
- Domestic Cats
- Hawks
- Snakes
ThreatsHabitat loss, outdoor cats, and window collisions
HabitatsOpen woodlands, suburban parks, orchards, and grassy lawns
Life spanTypically 2 to 6 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPasserellidae
- SpeciesSpizella passerina
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Backyard Feeders: Offer black oil sunflower seeds, millet, or hulled sunflower chips on tray feeders.
- Listen for Trills: Identify them by their rapid, single-pitch trill, which sounds like a sewing machine.
- Provide Cover: Plant native shrubs to offer nesting sites and protection from predators.
Brood Parasite (c) cello caruso-turiello, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by cello caruso-turiello · cc-by
Close Relative 
Close Relative (c) Helen J, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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