Taxonomy/Description

The Song Sparrow is a member of the Emberizidae family, the family with all other New World Sparrows. They have short-tails and short wings. Song Sparrows are a medium sized sparrow but their size can vary considerably. They have brown backs and usually they are characterized by their streaky breast with a spot in the middle. Male and female songs sparrows look the same.

Habitat/Diet

Song Sparrows are native to North America. They breed from the middle United States through Northern Canada and spend their summers from Southern Canada to Northern Mexico. They can be seen in Western New York all year round. Song Sparrows occupy a wide range of habitats including forest, shrub and riparian (areas where land and stream meet), they seem to favor riparian habitats the most. Through out the year Song Sparrows primarily eat insects and other small invertebrates but they will eat more seeds and fruit during non-breeding season. The Song Sparrow forages for seeds on the ground and all other food sources in trees/in the air.

Behavior/Reproduction  

Song Sparrows are not particularly social birds, except for juveniles who will form loose flocks while foraging. Song Sparrows, both males and females, are very territorial. Some will defend territories all year. Song Sparrows defend their territories with threatening displays; physical contact between birds is very uncommon. Song Sparrows are small birds and are therefore subject to predation by many species including foxes, but the most threatening predators are other birds including hawks and gulls.

photo Melissa Grippin

Song Sparrows are primarily monogamous birds forming pair-bonds at the beginning of each breeding season, some will keep mates for several seasons. Females build cup nests and typically lay 3-5 eggs per clutch. More than one clutch can be laid per season. Females incubate the eggs for 12-14 days and when  the chicks hatch, they are naked and blind and  need to be fed by both parents in order to survive. Chicks grow quickly and exit the nest only 8-10 days after hatching.

Where to see them in WNY

Song Sparrows are year-round residents and are widespread throughout most of Western New York. They can be found in any area that at least has some brush cover including Forest Lawn Cemetery and Tift Nature Preserve.