Song Sparrow – Quick Identification & Habitat Guide

Bird Spotting: The song sparrow can be identified by its streaked breast with a large central spot. The throat is white and bordered by black on each side. In flight the song sparrow pumps its tail. As its name suggests this bird likes to sing and can be heard through the spring and summer.

Habitat: The song sparrow resides in urban and suburban areas in thickets, pastures, gardens and city parks.

Nesting: In a nest of leaves and grass and frequently lined with hair, a songbird will produce three to six brown-spotted, pale green eggs. Nests are usually concealed in weeds on the ground or in a low bush.

Bird Bite: To travel or not to travel? Within northern song sparrow populations migratory and nonmigratory  individuals live together. It appears that the decision to migrate is purely a personal decision for each bird.

Backyard Tip: Sparrows tend to set up house where ornamental grasses, roses and junipers grow. A choice food for song sparrows is the fruit of the wood strawberry perennial.