6.25 inches long. The American Tree Sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow with a two toned conical bill. The upper bill is dark and the lower bill is yellow. The back is tan with dark streaks. The breast is gray with a prominent black spot. The belly and undertail are white. The crown is rusty. There is also a rusty eyeline. The face is gray and there is a gray eyebrow. The flanks are rusty. The wings are brown with white wing bars.
The American Tree Sparrow is a somewhat common winter visitor that arrives in October and leaves by late April.
The American Tree Sparrow is somewhat misnamed as it nests in the far north, many times north of the tree line. It was named by early settlers who thought this bird resembled the European Tree Sparrow. Its appearance here is sure sign that winter is near. It is a common visitor to feeders. The song is a sweet clear “swee, swee, ti, sidi, see, zidi, zidi, zew”.
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