Where’s Wildlife · Bird Field Guide
American Tree Sparrow
Spizelloides arborea
Pronounced (approx.): spy-zel-OY-deez ar-BOR-ee-uh
A familiar winter visitor in the Midwest that breeds much farther north.
Three Identification Clues
Rusty crown and rusty eye stripe across a gray face.
A small bill with a dark upper half and yellowish lower half.
Mostly plain underparts, commonly with a dark spot in the center of the breast.
Field Photographs
Showing 8 of 8 photographs.
Beyond the first impression
Plumage & Identification
Use the whole face
The rusty crown and rusty eyeline lie against a gray face. Check the small bill: its upper part is dark and the lower part yellowish. Both adult sexes have a mostly smooth gray-to-buff breast, often with one dark central spot. [1]
Do not rely on the breast spot
A spot by itself is not enough. Compare the facial pattern, bill, and amount of breast streaking with the Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, and Song Sparrow. Heavily streaked juvenile Tree Sparrows are mainly seen on their northern breeding grounds, not among typical winter visitors. [1]
Life history
How This Bird Lives
A winter visitor, a northern breeder
In winter, look low in seed-rich fields, marsh edges, and brushy openings. Small flocks hop and scratch on the ground, then pause on low branches or weed stalks. In summer, the breeding population is far to the north around the tundra treeline. [1]
A seasonal change in food
Grass, sedge, and wildflower seeds dominate the cold-season diet. During the northern breeding season, insects become much more important, particularly for growing chicks. Leaving some seed-bearing stems standing offers a useful habitat connection to notice during a winter walk. [2]
A ground-level nest
Despite the name, this sparrow usually nests on or near the ground. A grass tussock or shrub base can conceal its open cup; some nests are placed a little higher. Moss, grass, bark, and twigs form the structure, with fine material and feathers inside. [2]
The female builds the nest. A clutch contains 4–6 eggs, and the chicks hatch helpless. These northern nesting habits are quite different from the backyard winter flocks many people know. [2]
Did you know?
A Closer Look at American Tree Sparrows
A misleading name
The English name reflects a resemblance to Eurasian Tree Sparrows. These American birds do much of their feeding and nesting close to the ground. [3]
Shaking loose a meal
Tree Sparrows may jump at bent stems or beat seedheads with their wings to release seeds onto the snow below. Watch the feeding method, not just the bird. [3]
A coordinated start
Although eggs are laid on different days, the chicks can hatch within hours of one another and leave the nest at nearly the same time. [3]
Sources: [1] Cornell · Identification[2] Cornell · Life history[3] Cornell · Species overview
Range & Sightings
Recorded Observations
Explore sightings on iNaturalist. Observation records are not a complete range map.
Keep Learning
Compare several photographs, then listen to recordings to connect appearance with voice.