Field Sparrow

Adults have a bright rufous crown, a white eye-ring, and a pale pink bill. The face and breast are greyish, lacking a central spot. Two white wing bars are visible. Juveniles are streakier and lack the solid reddish crown.

Small size, distinct pink bill, white eye-ring, rufous crown, and unstreaked greyish-buff breast.

Length: 12-15 cm (4.7-5.9 in), Wingspan: 20 cm (7.9 in), Weight: 11-15 g

A series of clear, sweet whistles that accelerate in tempo, resembling a bouncing ball coming to rest.

Primarily seeds from grasses and weeds. During the breeding season, they supplement their diet with insects such as grasshoppers and caterpillars.

Old fields, overgrown pastures, scrubby edges, and power-line rights-of-way with scattered shrubs.

Partial migrant; northern populations move to the southern United States and northeastern Mexico for winter.

Builds an open-cup nest of grass on or near the ground in spring, moving higher into shrubs as the season progresses and foliage thickens.

American Tree Sparrow (larger, dark bicolored bill, breast spot) and Chipping Sparrow (bold black eyeline, black bill).

Contributes to seed dispersal and controls insect populations during the breeding season. It serves as prey for various small hawks and snakes.

Least Concern (IUCN), though populations have experienced a slow decline due to loss of brushy habitat.

Look for them in overgrown fields or at the edges of woodlands. They are more easily identified by their unique 'bouncing ball' song during the spring.

Unlike many other sparrows, the Field Sparrow is rarely found in urban gardens, strictly preferring rural, brushy 'old field' habitats.