The Chipping Sparrow is a trim little sparrow of lawns, parks, and open woods, easily identified in breeding plumage by its bright rufous cap and crisp black eye line. Its rapid, mechanical trill — a sustained buzz on one pitch — is one of the most commonly heard backyard bird songs. It famously uses animal hair and plant fiber to line its compact cup nests.
Best time to see a Chipping Sparrow
The best time to see a Chipping Sparrow is February–June, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 83,191 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Chipping Sparrow? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Chipping Sparrow sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
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