American Tree Sparrow and Chipping Sparrow
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

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Field Mark | American Tree Sparrow | Chipping Sparrow |
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Overall | 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 Susan Szeszol, Chipping Sparrow by Mark Haas
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Crown | Cinnamon rust year-round with faint gray streak down middle in winter. | In winter more tan/brown than rufous with some streaking. |
![]() American Tree Sparrow by Gord Belyea, Chipping Sparrow by Cristiane Dornbusch
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Eyeline | Rusty brown eyeline | Black or dark brown eyeline |
![]() American Tree Sparrow by Jennifer Taggart, Chipping Sparrow by Bob Vuxinic
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Bill | Bi-colored bill, dark upper mandible, yellow lower mandible | Pinkish bill in winter |
![]() American Tree Sparrow by George Preston, Chipping Sparrow by Scott and Nancy Lysle
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Breast | Grayish breast with central, isolated, breast spot (sometimes hidden) | Grayish breast with no breast spot |
![]() American Tree Sparrow by Jill McElderry-Maxwell, Chipping Sparrow by Glenda Simmons
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Shoulder | Rusty patch on shoulder | Plain gray shoulder |
![]() American Tree Sparrow by Frank and Sandra Horvath, Chipping Sparrow by Bill Wright
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Wing Bars | Two white wing bars | Two buffy wing bars |
![]() American Tree Sparrow by Jennifer Taggart, Chipping Sparrow by Errol Taskin
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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.
Sounds
American Tree Sparrow
Song
© Michael Andersen | Macaulay Library
Calls
© Wil Hershberger | Macaulay Library
Calls
© Wil Hershberger | Macaulay Library
Chipping Sparrow
Song
© Randolph Little | Macaulay Library
Song
© William W. H. Gunn | Macaulay Library
Calls
© Randolph Little | Macaulay Library
Calls
© Andrew Spencer
Flight calls
© Andrew Farnsworth
Range
American Tree Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow
