American Tree Sparrow
NameAmerican Tree Sparrow
Common NameAmerican Tree Sparrow
Scientific NameSpizelloides arborea
FamilyPasserellidae
Wingspan (cm)24
Length (cm)14
Weight (g)20
Plumage DetailsAdults have a rusty-red cap, a gray face with a rusty eye-line, and a streaked brown back. The underparts are plain gray with a prominent dark central breast spot. Wings show two white bars, and the bill is bicolored, dark on the upper mandible and yellow on the lower.
Vocalization / CallIts song is a sweet, high-pitched series of tinkling notes, often described as 'tsee-tsee-tsee-tew-tew-tew'. It also gives a sharp 'tseet' call.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsforest, grassland, urban
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds in arctic and subarctic North America, including Alaska and Canada. Winters across southern Canada and most of the contiguous United States.
Identifying Featuresrusty cap, dark central breast spot, bicolored bill (dark upper, yellow lower), two white wing bars, often seen in winter
Description
The American Tree Sparrow is a small, active sparrow often seen foraging on the ground in winter. It is characterized by its rusty cap and a distinctive dark spot on its otherwise plain gray breast. This species breeds in the arctic and subarctic and migrates south for the winter.
