Sparrows are a hard group of birds to identify properly. They can all look the same if you don’t know what to look for! That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the 12 most common types of sparrow you’re likely to see.
In this guide, you’ll learn where each of these birds lives and how it looks and acts. You’ll also learn how to differentiate each species from eachother. But before we dive into these birds, let’s discuss what defines a sparrow.
What are Sparrows?
Sparrows are small to medium-sized birds in the Passerellidae, or New World Sparrow family. This family makes up the majority of sparrows in North America. Yet, there are a couple of sparrows in the Old World Sparrow, or Passeridae family. These include the non-native House and Eurasian Tree Sparrow.
Sparrows are primarily seed-eating birds with conical bills, which allow them to crack open hard seed shells. They are typically brown or grey and have a distinct head pattern.
While many of these birds share similar sizes and appearances, there are some distinct members of this family. For instance, towhees, buntings, and juncos are all in the New World Sparrow family but aren’t known as “sparrows.”
12 Most Common Sparrows in North America
1. House Sparrows
Description
The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is one of the most common birds in North America and is one of the most widespread birds in the world. It is the only bird on this list not native to North America.
Males of this species are easier to identify than the females. They have a black bib, grey head, white cheeks, and chestnut nape. Whereas females are light grey-brown with indistinct markings on their heads and backs.
Where to Find
House Sparrows stay close to humans; you can find them in rural farm areas, cities, and suburbs. Because of their close association with people, these birds avoid uninhabited areas. This includes forests, grasslands, wilderness areas, and deserts.
Key ID Features
The male’s most distinct feature is its multi-colored head markings. They also have a larger and more rounded beak than most other sparrows.
These birds are most similar in appearance to the Eurasian Tree Sparrow. However, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow lacks the grey head and has an entirely rufous-red crown.
2. Dark-eyed Juncos
Description
The Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) is small and abundant across North America. Juncos don’t look like typical sparrows. They don’t have obvious wing, head, or chest streaks, and they usually have a brown, grey, or black hood.
Within the Dark-eyed Junco species, there are several subspecies. These were once considered separate species. The variations differ in plumage color, range, and habitat.
These junco variations include:
- “Slate-colored” of Eastern and Central North America,
- “Oregon,” “Pink-sided,” and “Grey-headed” juncos of the West,
- “White-winged” junco of South Dakota,
- “Red-backed” of the Southwest United States,
- “Cismontanus” junco in the Western United States and central Canada.
Where to Find
You can find Dark-eyed Juncos in various habitats. While breeding, they prefer:
- mixed conifer forests
- semi-open wooded areas
- forest edges.
In winter, you can find them in:
- meadows
- open woods
- forest edges
- roadsides
- backyards
- fields and parks
- brushy thickets
Most Dark-eyed Juncos in the Central and Eastern United States migrate to Canada and Alaska to breed. Some stay year-round in California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Rocky Mountain region. This is also true for the Appalachian Mountain range, the Northeast, and the Upper Great Lakes Region.
Key ID Features
Because there are so many junco variations, I recommend checking out another blog I wrote: “Dark-eyed Junco: The ‘Snowbird’ of Winter.” In that blog, I describe how to identify each junco subspecies and where their range is.
That said, Juncos do share some key features. These features include:
- a rounded, grey or black head;
- a short, pale pink bill;
- a long tail with white outer tail feathers (especially noticeable in flight).
3. Song Sparrows
Description
The Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) is often heard before it’s seen. In thick, brushy areas in spring, it will sing a long and melodious song.
They have distinct russet-tan streaks on their pale chest that converge into a central splotch.
They also have:
- streaked wings
- a russet eye streak
- russet streaks on their head.
Where to Find
You can find these birds across North America. They prefer bushy areas and low-density vegetation. They’re often seen in:
- fields
- streamside thickets
- forest edges
- well-vegetated gardens
- marshy areas
- hedges.
These birds breed throughout Canada, the north-central United States, and the Great Lakes. They winter across the Southern United States.
They are year-long residents throughout most of the Western United States and the Pacific coast of Canada up to Alaska. You can also find them in parts of the Central and Eastern United States, such as the Ohio Valley and the Appalachian mountain range.
Key ID Features
One of the Song Sparrow’s most distinct features is its streaked chest that comes together into a central “splotch.” Plus, look for their dark “mustache” streaks angling out from below their beak.
The Savannah Sparrow also has a streaked chest, but it has a yellow eye streak and a shorter tail and bill than the Song Sparrow. Another bird that is confused with the Song Sparrow is the Lincoln’s Sparrow. The streaks on the Lincoln’s Sparrow are thinner and darker than the Song Sparrow’s.
The Vesper Sparrow is also similar to the Song Sparrow. But it is more “streaky,” has more white tones, and has a distinct white eye ring and a very pale eye streak.
4. Chipping Sparrows
Description
Like other types of sparrow, the Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) has tan, black-streaked wings, dark head streaks, and a distinct eye streak. During breeding, they have a noticeable rusty-orange cap. Their chest and belly are light grey to pale white with no markings.
Where to Find
In spring, these birds arrive throughout North America from their wintering grounds in Mexico and the Southern United States. You can find them in:
- farms and pastureland
- city parks
- suburbs
- open conifer forests
- brushy thickets.
Key ID Features
Two of this bird’s most distinct features are its unmarked grey chest and its white eyebrow stripe. During breeding, they have a noticeable head pattern of a black eye streak, bright russet cap, and white eyebrow. During nonbreeding, they have fewer contrasting head colors and are more tan overall.
Tree Sparrows are similar in appearance but have a black dot on their grey chests and a russet-tan eye streak (rather than black). It also lacks the noticeable white eyebrow stripe.
The Field Sparrow may be mistaken for the Chipping Sparrow. However, they have more black and russet hues in their wings, a duller crown, and a pink bill. They also have a white eye ring, no white eyebrow streak, and a less noticeable russet eye-streak.
5. Savanna Sparrows
Description
In meadows and open pastures, the Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) lets out a buzzy, insect-like song. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a little streaked bird that, at first glance, looks like every other sparrow.
On closer inspection, you’ll see a distinct yellow streak above the eye. Also note the light tan and white streaks on the head and the pale white chest with crisp dark streaks.
According to the Audubon Field Guide, “The Savannah Sparrow often causes confusion for birders because it is so variable. Some of its well-marked local forms, such as the pale ‘Ipswich’ Sparrow of Atlantic beaches and the blackish ‘Belding’s’ Sparrow of western salt marshes, were once regarded as separate species.”
Where to Find
These sparrows prefer:
- open meadows
- fields
- pastures
- woodland and marsh edges
- prairies
- dunes
- brushy shores.
These birds winter in the Southern United States and Mexico. In early spring, they migrate to the Northern United States and most of Canada. They are year-long residents along the Pacific Coast from Mexico up to the Southwestern tip of British Columbia.
Key ID Features
The first key identification feature to look for is the yellow streak above the eye. Sometimes, the yellow streak is less distinct, so you’ll also want to look for pale white to light tan coloring and crisp chest streaks.
They can be confused with Song Sparrows. Read the notes above about their differences.
The Vesper Sparrow is similar but has a distinct white eye ring and white outer tail feathers. The White-throated Sparrow also has a yellow patch above its eye, but note the bright white throat and thick black head streaks.
6. American Tree Sparrows
Description
The American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea) is one of my favorite sparrows. This is likely because they visit my feeder every day throughout the winter and early spring.
Despite their common name, these birds aren’t associated with trees. They prefer brushy areas in the arctic tundra.
Where to Find
They breed throughout Northern Canada and Alaska. In the fall, they migrate to winter in the Northern and Central United States.
This bird prefers open brushy areas in winter, such as meadows, forest edges, pastures, and marshes. In the summer, they’re found in the arctic scrub near treeline.
Key ID Features
The most distinct feature of the American Tree Sparrow is the black dot in the center of their chest. They do not have any chest streaks like many other types of sparrows.
Their rufous crown and eye streak contrast against the pale grey streak above the eye. They are similar to the Chipping Sparrow—see the notes above.
7. White-crowned Sparrows
Description
The White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) is easy to identify with its black and white striped head. If you keep a stocked feeder and build a brush pile, you’re likely to attract these lovely birds to your yard.
Where to Find
These birds love brushy areas across their varied habitat. In the winter, they prefer:
- pastures and farms
- cities
- neighborhoods
- forest edges
- chaparral
- desert washes
While breeding, they like:
- boreal scrub
- mountainous conifers
- woodland edges
In summer, you can find them throughout Northern Canada and Alaska. They winter throughout the Western and Southern United States and most of Mexico. Some populations stay year-round in the US Rocky Mountains and the Pacific coast.
Key ID Features
The White-crowned Sparrows’ key ID feature is their black and white striped heads. Their chest and undersides are grey and unmarked.
At first glance, you might mistake them for the White-throated Sparrow. However, the White-crowned Sparrow is much larger and lacks the bright white throat and yellow patch above the eye.
8. White-throated Sparrows
Description
The attractive White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) sings a high-pitched whistled tune from amongst the brambles. If you learn to identify their song, you’re much more likely to find them on the trail.
Where to Find
These birds winter throughout the Central, Eastern, and Southern United States. Some populations winter along the California coast.
In spring, they migrate to the Great Lakes region and the Northeastern United States to breed. They also breed in much of Canada, except the far west and north.
You can find them in the undergrowth of mixed woodlands and conifer forests. They prefer brushy thickets and shrubby areas near ponds and forest edges. You can also find them in bushy areas in city parks and neighborhoods.
Key ID Features
These birds have a distinct head pattern:
- black and white stripes
- yellow patch above the eye
- bright white throat
They also have a grey chest with subtle dark streaks and a pale white underbelly. There are two morphs: tan-striped and white-striped. The head stripes on the tan-striped morph are more tan compared to the stark white of the white-striped morph.
White-throated Sparrows are sometimes mistaken for White-crowned Sparrows. See notes above to learn their differences.
9. Field Sparrow
Description
A dainty bird of Central and Eastern North America, the Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) is common in brushy, open places. At first glance, this unremarkable bird may appear like any other sparrow. At closer inspection, you’ll find a few distinct traits that set it apart from other similar species.
Where to Find
Field Sparrows (Spizella pusilla) are partial migrants. You can find year-round residents in the South-central United States, from Oklahoma to South Carolina and up to New England.
Their year-round range ends around the Ohio Valley. Other populations winter in the far south and migrate to the Northern United States to breed.
No matter the season, these birds prefer brushy pastures and fields. Look for them in:
- woodland edges
- overgrown fields with shrubs
- marsh edges
- hedgerows.
Key ID Features
This bird is more “plain” and smaller than other sparrows. They have:
- a light grey to tan, unmarked chest and underside
- a rusty cap
- pale russet eye streak
- a white eye ring
- a pink bill.
They look similar to the American Tree Sparrow and Chipping Sparrow. The Field Sparrow lacks the distinct black dot and crisp russet eye streak of the Tree Sparrow. It also lacks the white eyebrow and black eye streak of the Chipping Sparrow.
10. Lark Sparrow
Description
The beautiful Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) is easier to identify than most other types of sparrow. With their large size and bold head patterns, it’s hard to mistake them. Look for them at the top of fence posts or telephone wires, where they loudly sing throughout the spring and summer.
Where to Find
These birds breed throughout much of the Central and Western prairie states. They avoid high altitudes and dense conifer stands. Some populations are year-round residents in California and Texas.
These unique birds prefer open, brushy areas with bare ground. Find them in:
- open prairies
- streamside thickets
- pastures with a few trees or shrubs
- farms
- grassy fields
- roadsides
Key ID Features
These birds are large sparrows with dark chestnut and white stripes on its head. They have a dark cheek spot below their eye and two “mustache” streaks below their bill. Their chest is grey with a black dot (no streaking) and their bright white outer tail feathers are visible in flight.
This bird’s size (including their large bill) and bold head pattern are enough to distinguish this species from other sparrows.
11. Vesper Sparrow
Description
A streaky bird, the Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) is easy to identify once you know what to look for. These little sparrows are known for their bravery—they don’t seem to be much afraid of humans.
According to the Audubon Field Guide, “Not as shy as many grassland sparrows, it can be observed rather easily. It is often found dust-bathing in bare soil of fields or dirt roads.”
Where to Find
Look for these birds in open, grassy fields and meadows. During breeding, you can find them in the United States in much of the West, the North-central, and the Great Lakes regions. They also breed across West-central Canada. They winter in the Southern United States and Mexico.
Key ID Features
This bird is most distinguished by its thin, dark streaks on its head, chest, and back. They don’t have an obvious head pattern like other types of sparrow. Look for their:
- white eye ring
- dark, small bill
- white outer tail feathers.
The Savannah Sparrow is streaky like the Vesper Sparrow, but the Savannah has a yellow eyebrow that sets it apart. The Song Sparrow may also be confused with the Vesper Sparrow. However, the Vesper lacks the dark “mustache” streaks and central dark chest blotch of the Song Sparrow.
12. Black-throated Sparrow
Description
Another unmistakable bird, the Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata), bears a stunning black throat. This bird of the arid Southwest is a common sparrow amongst the barren landscape.
Where to Find
This bird is a year-long resident throughout Northern Mexico and Southern California, over to Southern Texas. Some populations migrate a short distance to Nevada, Utah, and Southwestern Colorado to breed.
Look for this bird in open landscapes, such as arid brush and desert. According to the Audubon Field Guide, “Lives in a variety of dry open habitats, from Sonoran desert with its mix of shrubs and cactus to very barren flats of creosote bush or saltbush.”
Key ID Features
They have a large, obvious black throat patch that extends down the chest. They also have a distinct head pattern of a white stripe above and below the eye, bordered by dark chestnut stripes.
This bird’s unique throat patch is unmistakable. You may confuse it with the Black-chinned Sparrow, but this sparrow is dark gray, lacks the white face stripes, and is rarer to see.
Identifying Common Sparrows in North America
No matter where you live or visit in North America, you’re likely to come across at least one (if not several) sparrows found on this list. Now that you’ve read this guide, you’ll be able to properly identify the sparrows that visit your feeder and sing by your favorite hiking trail.
Which of these birds have you identified? Are there any sparrows in your area that didn’t make this list? Tell us about them in the comments below!
