Sparrows of North Dakota
Unstreaked Sparrows
9. Chipping Sparrow
- Spizella passerina
- Length-5 1/2 inches
- BREEDING SPECIES
Small sparrow with a characteristic brownish-red cap on top of the head. Also
easily identified by the white line running across the top of the eye and the
black line beginning behind the beak and running through the eye to the back
of the head. Sides of the head, neck and breast are solid, light gray. Two white
wing bars are present. Feeds on large amounts of grass and weed seeds. Will
also feed on insects. Found statewide and nests in a variety of habitats including
woodlands, brushy fields and conifers. Commonly found in both rural and urban
back yards.
Previous Sparrow -- Harris's Sparrow (
Zonotrichia
querula)
Return to Sparrow List
Next Sparrow -- American Tree Sparrow (
Spizella
arborea)
