Black-chinned SparrowSpizella atrogularisLong-tailed, pale gray sparrow with contrasting brown back and small pink bill. Face of breeding male looks like it's covered in soot. Reminiscent of Dark-eyed Junco but juncos show prominent white in tail; also note Black-chinned Sparrow's streaked back and brown edges on wing feathers. Prefers shrubby hillsides and slopes with large bushes and rocky outcroppings, from the southwestern U.S. to central Mexico. Song is often likened to a dropped ping-pong ball: an accelerating series of notes, not as clear-toned as Field Sparrow.Passerellidae bird family
Order Passeriformes · 7 selected species
Browse verified BirdLens profiles selected for complete taxonomy, substantial descriptive coverage, and visual evidence. Open a species to compare its identification notes, distribution, behavior, sounds, and maps.
Black-chinned SparrowSpizella atrogularisLong-tailed, pale gray sparrow with contrasting brown back and small pink bill. Face of breeding male looks like it's covered in soot. Reminiscent of Dark-eyed Junco but juncos show prominent white in tail; also note Black-chinned Sparrow's streaked back and brown edges on wing feathers. Prefers shrubby hillsides and slopes with large bushes and rocky outcroppings, from the southwestern U.S. to central Mexico. Song is often likened to a dropped ping-pong ball: an accelerating series of notes, not as clear-toned as Field Sparrow.Black-chinned SparrowSpizella atrogularisLong-tailed, pale gray sparrow with contrasting brown back and small pink bill. Face of breeding male looks like it's covered in soot. Reminiscent of Dark-eyed Junco but juncos show prominent white in tail; also note Black-chinned Sparrow's streaked back and brown edges on wing feathers. Prefers shrubby hillsides and slopes with large bushes and rocky outcroppings, from the southwestern U.S. to central Mexico. Song is often likened to a dropped ping-pong ball: an accelerating series of notes, not as clear-toned as Field Sparrow.
Dark-eyed JuncoJunco hyemalisUnique sparrow with incredible variation between populations. Generally patterned with gray, white, and shades of tan. All have pinkish bills and white outer tail feathers. Juveniles are streaky. Breeds in a variety of forested habitats, especially with conifers. Found in any wooded habitat in the winter, often in flocks. Usually forages on the ground for seeds, but also fond of brushy thickets or weedy fields. Visits feeders. Subspecies include: Slate-colored (widespread), Oregon (West), Pink-sided (Rockies), Gray-headed (Rockies and southwest U.S. to Mexico), Red-backed (central Arizona and New Mexico), and White-winged (breeds in Black Hills, winters mainly Colorado).
Golden-crowned SparrowZonotrichia atricapillaLarge, long-tailed sparrow. Look for black stripes bordering yellow crown, especially obvious on breeding adults. Immatures are browner but still show yellow in the center of the crown. Often looks scruffy and not as crisp as White-crowned Sparrow. Breeds in low, shrubby areas of tundra or at edges of boreal forest. Frequents forest edges, backyards, and scrubby areas in winter and migration. Often in flocks with White-crowned Sparrow. Forages on the ground and in low vegetation for seeds and insects. Visits feeders.
Grasshopper SparrowAmmodramus savannarumSmall, short-tailed, flat-headed sparrow found in weedy grasslands. Warm buffy coloration with clean unstreaked breast. Thin white eyering and yellow patch above eye. Back and wings are patterned with gray and rufous. Easy to see when singing atop a shrub, but can be very secretive much of the year. Best detected by its dry, insect like trill preceded by a few introductory notes. Typically not in flocks.
Rufous-crowned SparrowAimophila ruficepsFairly large grayish-brown sparrow of scrubby, arid hillsides. Look for rufous crown, rufous stripe behind eye, thin white eyering, and white mustache bordered by black. Otherwise plain grayish below with no streaks. Found on or near the ground, especially on dry slopes with scattered shrubs. Often heard before it is seen, so listen for its song, a descending jumble of husky notes. Also gives a nasal call, often in a rapid series. Compare with Oaxaca Sparrow in Mexico.
Saltmarsh SparrowAmmospiza caudacutaA brightly patterned sparrow restricted to saltmarshes on the Atlantic coast. Perches in the open when singing, otherwise secretive. Can be fairly common in certain spots. Similar to Nelson's Sparrow and often found wintering in the same habitat, but note bright orange face contrasting with white throat, and pale buffy wash on underparts with fine black streaks. Bill averages longer than Nelson's Sparrow. Song is a quiet sequence of hisses, gurgles, and tinkling notes.