Perching

Song Sparrow

Melospiza melodia
Song Sparrow thumbnail
Length: 6 in. (16 cm )
Perhaps the most wide spread native sparrow in North America, the Song Sparrow is also the most variable in appearance. More than 30 distinct geographical forms have been described. It is almost always found in dense vegetation along water courses, but it also makes it into suburban gardens in the east. Inland this species eats mainly seeds, but along the coasts it also eats marine invertebrates. The nest is placed on or near the ground in dense vegetation and made of grass and leaves.

The four-digit banding code is SOSP.


Marsh / swamp

Riparian / River forest
Bird Sound Type: Twittering
Sex of Bird: Male
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Bird Sound Type: Twittering
Sex of Bird: Male
Sonogram Large:
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Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Song Sparrow
  • Author(s): Dr. Biology
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: July 13, 2017
  • Date accessed: March 6, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/song-sparrow

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (2017, July 13). Song Sparrow. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved March 6, 2024 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/song-sparrow

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Song Sparrow". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 July, 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/song-sparrow

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Song Sparrow". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 6 Mar 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/song-sparrow

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
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