Interesting Information About Chipping
Sparrows
The chipping sparrow is a species of American sparrow.
It is found throughout most of North America.
Chipping sparrows live in a wide variety of open woodland habitats. They
are found in open forests or forest edges, especially coniferous forests.
They prefer forests with shrubby undergrowth. Chipping sparrows are
common in suburban areas, urban parks, orchards, and other human-
modified landscapes.
Once found in huge numbers across the world, the small bird is slowly
making its way to the endangered list.
There are two subspecies, the eastern chipping sparrow and
the western chipping sparrow.
Sparrows are around 14-16 cm long. They are chirpy, with grey and brown
colour. They have the ability to fly at the speed of 38.5 km/hour and can
even reach a speed of 50 km/hour.
The lifespan of the chipping sparrow is from 4 to 7 years in the wild.
The chipping sparrow ranges from 13 to 15 cm (5 to 6 in)
in lenght and weigh an average of 12 g (0.42 oz).
It molts twice a year. In its breeding plumage it has orangish-rust upper
parts, gray head and underparts and a distinctive reddish cap. In non-
breeding plumage, the cap is brown and the facial markings are less
distinct.
They are active during the day, but especially in the morning and early
evening, when they spend much of their time foraging.
Chipping sparrows eat mainly grass seeds and the seeds and fruits of
annual plants. Chipping sparrows are preyed on by many kinds of birds,
mammals, and snakes.
They supplement their diet with insects during the breeding season, when
up to 38% of the diet may be animal prey. Animal prey
includes moths and butterflies, beetles, and grasshoppers and crickets.
Chipping sparrows get their common name from the sharp “chip” call that
they make frequently as they forage and interact with others. Variations on
this “chip” call are used for contact calls, threats, or begging.
Once found in huge numbers across the world, the small bird is slowly
making its way to the endangered list.
Sparrows cannot be found in forests or deserts, unlike other birds. It prefers
being in close association to human settlement, including urban and rural
areas. They inhabit on ideal sparrow habitat nesting on buildings, roofs,
and houses.
Sparrows usually fly at the speed of 24 miles per hour. When needed (in
the case of danger), they can accelerate to the speed of 31 miles per hour.
Sparrow is a symbol of loyalty in Japan owing to its friendly nature and
ability to live in groups.
Chipping sparrows can hop and run on the ground and use short, rapid,
undulating flights of 22 to 32 km/h (14 to 20 mph).
This bird is a partial migrant with northerly populations flying southwards in
the fall to overwinter in Mexico and the southern United States, and flying
northward again in spring.
In the winter, chipping sparrows are gregarious and form flocks, sometimes
associating with other bird species.
Breeding starts in late April and May and the nest is often built in a tree.
Chipping sparrows form mated pairs during the breeding season, but males
and females may also seek other mates. Males attract females with their
songs and chase them or perform displays on the ground. Males and
females display to each other by collecting nest materials while together.
Male sparrows dominate over females during fall and winter, while females
dominate during summer and spring.
The chipping sparrow lays a clutch of 2 to 7 pale blue to white eggs with
black, brown, or purple markings. Incubation period lasts from 10 to 15
days. Females incubate the eggs and brood the young and males feed
females on the nest. Young can fly at 8 to 12 days old and become fully
independent several weeks after that.
Males and female house sparrows can be easily distinguished by the
feather colouration: males have reddish backs and a black bib, while
females have brown backs with stripes
Sparrows cannot be found in forests or deserts, unlike other birds. It prefers
being in close association to human settlement, including urban and rural
areas. They inhabit on ideal sparrow habitat nesting on buildings, roofs,
and houses.
House Sparrows love to play with dust and soil. They spoil themselves in
the dust as if trying to have a bath with it.
The chipping sparrow is part of the family Emberizidae, and is not closely
related to the Old World sparrows of the family Passeridae.
Males and female house sparrows can be easily distinguished by the
feather colouration: males have reddish backs and a black bib, while
females have brown backs with stripes.
Sparrows can survive between 4 and 5 years in the wild. The oldest
sparrow recorded till date is known to live for 15 years and 9 months!
House Sparrows have the capability of swimming underwater! Yes, it's true.
Even though these birds are not water birds, it is observed that they can
actually swim underwater to move from one place to the other.
These birds are aggressive and social, which increases their ability to
compete with most native birds.
House Sparrows, when nervous, flick their tails to ease out the tension.
They have contributed to science in a significant way. Approximately 5000
research papers have been published with these little birds as study
species.
