Chipping Sparrows

Since the cold weather has arrived, small flocks of Chipping Sparrows (Spizella passerina) have appeared at our feeders. Chipping Sparrows are partially migratory. The birds from the northern states spend their winters in the southern states. In late winter, they will move north and the flocks will break up as mating territories are established. This species is characterized by a chestnut-colored crown, a white stripe above the eye, and a black line through the eye. They often incorporate hair into their nests. When horses were more common, they often used hairs from the horse’s tail or mane. They have even been reported to pull hairs from sleeping dogs.