# American Tree Sparrow (*spizelloides arborea*) The American Tree Sparrow is a cheerful and hardy visitor to winter backyards across North America. Despite its name, this small sparrow actually spends most of its time foraging on the ground and nests on tundra shrubs rather than high in the canopy. Originally named by European settlers who noted its resemblance to the Eurasian Tree Sparrow, this bird is easily recognized by its bright rusty cap and a single dark spot in the center of its breast. In the summer, they migrate to the far north of Canada and Alaska, where they fill the open tundra with sweet, musical songs. During the winter, they travel south in cooperative flocks, bringing life to snowy fields and garden feeders alike. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Found in open shrubby tundra during the breeding season, and weedy fields, forest edges, and suburban backyards during the winter. ![American Tree Sparrow](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/72011/medium.jpg) Photo: Shanthanu Bhardwaj, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/72011) ## Appearance A medium-sized sparrow measuring about 13 to 16 centimeters, the American Tree Sparrow is identified by its bright rufous-brown cap and a thin rufous line extending behind its eye. Its gray face contrasts with a clean, unstreaked gray-white breast, which is uniquely marked with a distinct dark spot right in the center. Its wings feature two distinct white bars on a background of warm brown and black streaks. Additionally, it has a prominent two-toned bill with a dark gray upper mandible and a bright yellow lower mandible. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Passerellidae - **Genus:** Spizelloides ## Interesting facts - An individual American Tree Sparrow must consume about thirty percent of its body weight in food and water every day to survive cold winter temperatures. - Despite its name, the American Tree Sparrow actually nests on or near the ground, not in trees, as early European settlers mistook them for the European Tree Sparrow. - They form foraging flocks during the winter, often mixing with other species like Dark-eyed Juncos and Harris's Sparrows. - They have a distinctive bicolored bill: the upper half is dark grey or black, while the lower half is a bright yellow. ## Special abilities - **Sub-Zero Shivering:** They can survive temperatures as low as minus twenty degrees Fahrenheit by continuously shivering to raise their metabolic rate. - **Snow Scratching:** They use a specialized double-scratch hop technique with both feet to clear snow and leaf litter, exposing hidden seeds. - **Vocal Flocking:** They utilize a constant stream of high-pitched, soft notes while feeding to keep flock members coordinated and safe in dense brush. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 13-16 cm - **Wingspan:** 20-24 cm - **Weight:** 0.013-0.028 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-8 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-6 - **Incubation:** 11-13 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding During the winter, they rely almost exclusively on the seeds of grasses, weeds, and birch trees. In summer, they shift to a high-protein diet of insects and spiders to support breeding. - **Age differences:** Chicks are fed entirely on insects and other small invertebrates, whereas adults gradually transition to a seed-based diet as winter approaches. - **Primary Foods:** Grass seeds, Weed seeds, Caterpillars, Beetles, Berries - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Sharp-shinned Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sharp-shinned-hawk) (*Accipiter striatus*) — Preys on wintering sparrows at garden feeders and forest edges. - **Competitor:** [Dark-eyed Junco](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dark-eyed-junco) (*Junco hyemalis*) — Competes for fallen seeds and space at winter foraging sites and backyard feeders. - **Eaten by:** [Merlin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/merlin) (*Falco columbarius*) — Preys on adult sparrows during their migration and in breeding territories. ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify American Tree Sparrow? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is American Tree Sparrow? 13-16 cm ### What is American Tree Sparrow's wingspan? 20-24 cm ### How much does American Tree Sparrow weigh? 0.013-0.028 kg ### How long does American Tree Sparrow live? 2-8 years ### How fast can American Tree Sparrow move? 35 km/h ### What does American Tree Sparrow eat? During the winter, they rely almost exclusively on the seeds of grasses, weeds, and birch trees. In summer, they shift to a high-protein diet of insects and spiders to support breeding. ### Where is American Tree Sparrow usually found? Found in open shrubby tundra during the breeding season, and weedy fields, forest edges, and suburban backyards during the winter. ## Where to spot - [Skylands](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/skylands) — New Jersey, US · Botanical Garden - [Marble Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/marble-street-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [American Tree Sparrow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-tree-sparrow)