| Chipping Sparrow Identification Tips |
| (Credit: U. S. Geological Survey) |
| General
Information - Dark, conical bill - Rusty crown - White supercilium and black eyeline - Gray face and underparts - Tan back with dark streaks - Brown wings with wing bars - Gray rump - Slim, forked tail - Sexes similar - Fall and Winter plumage has different head pattern: brown crown with fine dark streaks and pale median crown stripe, buff supercilium, pale bill with dark tip and brownish cheeks - Juvenile plumage (Summer and Fall) similar to Winter but duller with streaked underparts Similar species Chipping Sparrows are similar to other sparrows with rusty crowns but have a white supercilium and black eye line in Spring and Summer. Field Sparrow has a pink bill and white eye ring. Swamp Sparrow has rusty wings and a dingy breast. American Tree Sparrow has a dark breast spot. In Fall and Winter, Chipping Sparrows are quite similar to Clay-colored and Brewer's Sparrows. Often, they retain some rust in the crown and can be identified by that field mark. Clay-colored and Brewer's Sparrows have pale lores and brown rumps. Clay-colored Sparrow has more distinct whisker and a buffier breast. Brewer's Sparrow has an indistinct supercilium and an eye ring. |
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