Song Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
Aves
COMMON

Stats

Lifespan
2-4 yrs
Size
Small
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Social
Solitary
Biome
Temperate shrubland
Range
North America
Movement
Flight
Breeding
Egg-laying
Defense
Camouflage
Status
Common

About

A stocky, brown-streaked sparrow found across nearly all of North America, easily recognized by the bold dark spot anchored at the center of its streaked breast. It is one of North America's most geographically variable birds, with more than 24 recognized subspecies ranging from tiny, pale desert birds to large, dark island forms.

Life cycle

  1. 1.
    egg
    A small clutch of speckled eggs is incubated in a cup nest, turned and kept warm by the parent.
  2. 2.
    hatchling
    A pink, blind hatchling is fed by its parents in the nest, gaping its bill at every visit.
  3. 3.
    juvenile
    A feathered juvenile fledges from the nest, learning to fly and to forage close to its parents.
  4. 4.
    adult
    Fully grown with adult plumage and song.

Learn more

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Passerellidae
Genus
Melospiza
Species
Melospiza melodia