The winter plumages of Chipping Sparrows and American Tree Sparrows look very similar. The ranges of these species typically overlap only during migration, but Chipping Sparrows seem to be increasingly found north of their traditional winter range. The usually reliable distinguishing mark–a breast spot on the tree sparrow where there is none on the Chipping Sparrow–can be deceptively unreliable.
Field Marks
American Tree Sparrow by Jennifer Taggart, Chipping Sparrow by Bob Vuxinic
American Tree Sparrow by Susan Szeszol, Chipping Sparrow by Mark Haas
American Tree Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
This sparrow (6.25″ long, 16 cm) looks similar in summer and winter. It has a rusty cap and a rusty eye line, a bicolored bill, and a breast spot that is sometimes hidden.
In summer this slightly smaller sparrow (5.5″ long, 14 cm) has a chestnut cap, a distinct white eyebrow and black eyeline, and a dark bill. However, in winter the striping is much duller, the chestnut cap is typically obscured, and the bill may look pink.
American Tree Sparrow by Jennifer Taggart, Chipping Sparrow by Errol Taskin
American Tree Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Two white wing bars
Two buffy wing bars
Learn More
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds website contains detailed species accounts and cool facts, as well as photographs and paintings from a variety of sources. Visit the online guide pages for American Tree Sparrow and Chipping Sparrow to learn more about both species.
