Song Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Melospiza melodia
(Emberizidae)

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6.0 inches long. The Song Sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow with a dark conical bill and pink legs and a long brown rounded tail. The back is brown with darker streaks. The wings are brown and usually are somewhat rusty. The underparts are white with heavy dark streaks and a central breast spot. The crown is brown with a pale central stripe. The face is gray with a prominent gray eyebrow. There is a brown streak behind the eye. The pale sub-moustache stripe is bordered by a narrow dark moustache on the top and a thick malar stripe underneath.

 

The Song Sparrow is a common resident and breeding bird.

 

The Song Sparrow often feeds on ground with it tail cocked while scratching the ground to expose food. They may join loose mixed flocks in winter. The male sings from exposed perches to claim territory. There are 24 subspecies of Song Sparrow with some that are much larger and darker. However, males are always recognized by their distinct song. The song consists of two or three introductory whistles followed by a trill “seet, seet, to, zleeeeeee, tipo, zeet, zeet”.

 

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