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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. XV
Field-journal plate: Chipping Sparrow
The Chipping Sparrow plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate XV

Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

Passerellidae · Taxon 9135

Length4.7–5.9 in (12–15 cm)
Wingspan8.3 in (21 cm)
Weight0.4–0.6 oz (11–16 g)

Field marks

  1. Small, slender sparrow with a fairly long tail and a small conical bill.
  2. Bright rufous to chestnut crown in breeding adults; browner and subdued outside breeding season.
  3. Crisp dark line through the eye, set against a pale gray face.
  4. Clean, unstreaked pale gray underparts in adults.
  5. Brown-and-black streaked back and wings; gray rump is visible in flight.
  6. Bill is dark in breeding plumage and often pinkish in nonbreeding plumage.

HabitatOpen woodlands and forest edges with grassy clearings; also park-like tree-and-grass settings, shrubby borders, and gardens with trees.

BehaviorGround-forages for seeds, taking cover in shrubs; often forms loose flocks outside breeding season and gives a long, dry trill from elevated perches.

Palette

rufous chestnutpale grayblackwarm brownbuff white