During the breeding season, chipping sparrows forage alone or with their mate. They eat small rocks and bits of sand to help them grind up the seeds they eat. Quite rare in winter at middle elevations. Chipping sparrows search for food on the ground or low in shrubby vegetation. In winter, rare to uncommon in early winter at lower elevations, but rare by midwinter a few likely overwinter.

Common in the lower and middle elevations, but less widespread than downstate local to 5,000 feet, and scarce to 6,000 feet. Permanent resident, with strong migratory movements scarce in winter. In winter, fairly common in the eastern and southern portions, uncommon to locally fairly common in the central portions, but uncommon in the western/foothill portions. Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina Rusty crown White supercilium and black eyeline Gray face and underparts Tan back with dark streaks Brown wings with. In summer, common to very common, and widespread across the province. Permanent resident, with strong migratory movements increasing. In winter, common (though occurs in flocks, and thus can be erratic) in the southern half of the province, from Croatan National Forest to the Sandhills fairly common in the northern portion, though can be scarce after severe weather. In summer, common in the western and central portions, and fairly common in the eastern portions, though uncommon within perhaps 5 miles of the coast. Winter habitats are somewhat different from that of breeding birds, as they gather into flocks of often several dozen birds, trooping around with Eastern Bluebirds, Pine and Yellow-rumped warblers, and other sparrows, feeding mostly in short grass along roadsides, fallow fields and stubble fields, and open woods. With the warming of winters in the past few decades, winter survival has increased, and this formerly uncommon wintering species is now locally common in the southeastern portion of the state. Until a few decades ago, it was a rare to absent breeder in the coastal counties of North Carolina, but it has adapted to parks, golf courses, extensive lawns, and open pinewoods, as well as to farmyards, such that it nests in all 100 counties. It nests over most of the continent, and it winters in the southern part of the United States. The eggs of the Chipping Sparrow are incubated by the female for 11-14 days. The nest is made of grass, forbs, weed stalks and rootlets. Some Chipping Sparrows winter locally in New England, as can be seen on the eBird map below.The Chipping Sparrow has been one of the most successful birds in North America over the past few decades. The female Chipping Sparrow builds the nest normally on a branch 3-11 feet above the ground, though there are exceptions. Some of these sparrows both breed in Mexico and Central America and are found there in the winter. This sparrow winters in the southern United States and Mexico. Nesting materials include grasses, rootlets and hairs, horsehair being used extensively, when available. They often nest in vines or bushes just outside your window. The reason is apparent, for yards, gardens and parks furnish ideal habitat for these birds. The Chipping Sparrow is found breeding throughout New England. Chipping Sparrows are not only the friendliest, but one of the best-known American sparrows. American Tree Sparrow has a dark breast spot. Swamp Sparrow has rusty wings and a dingy breast. Juvenile plumage (Summer and Fall) similar to Winter but duller with streaked underpartsĬhipping Sparrows are similar to other sparrows with rusty crowns but have a white supercilium and black eye line in Spring and Summer.įield Sparrow has a pink bill and white eye ring.Fall and Winter plumage has different head pattern: brown crown with fine dark streaks and pale median crown stripe, buff supercilium, pale bill with dark tip and brownish cheeks.