Spizella pusilla
adult
The Field Sparrow is a well-marked species with a pink bill. The sexes are similar but regional variation exists. Adults have a reddish-brown back with dark streaks, and wings with dark primaries and two white wingbars. The head has a rufous crown. The gray face is rather plain with a faint brown eye stripe in western birds, but shows brown-framed rufous ear coverts in eastern birds. The throat is pale and the underparts are otherwise gray, washed rufous on the breast and flanks, more intensely so in eastern birds than western ones. Juveniles are similar to their respective regional adults but streaked below.
The Field Sparrow is present year-round in southeast North America, but in summer (mainly from April to August) the range extends much farther north. In winter the range extends south into Mexico. Outside the breeding season the species is often seen in flocks.
adult
FACT FILE
LENGTH 5.75 in (14.5 cm)
FOOD Mainly seeds, with invertebrates in spring and summer
HABITAT Overgrown fields with scrub
STATUS Widespread and common summer visitor, and year-round resident
VOICE Song is a series of whistling phrases that ends in a trill. Call is a sharp tchip
