Aves (Birds): Passeriformes, Emberizidae
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)
Potential Occurrence: Nesting Likely to Occur
Status: (Nesting)
Federal: none
State: none
Other: G5 S3S4; MBTA
Species Description: A small bird with the typical sparrow
Photo: Eric Hendrickson
body shape, the Chipping Sparrow has a rufous-tinged crown
that grows brighter in color during the breeding season (April through August). Brown and white
wings accent an overall gray body and a grayish rump. There is a strong, dark eyeline extending
back from the eye (Sibley 2000).
Distribution: The Chipping Sparrow is widespread throughout North America, and its breeding
range extends from to Central America. The Central American breeders are sedentary, but the
more northern populations migrate over long distances to the southern U.S., Mexico, and
Nicaragua. (Hammerson 2009). In northern California, Chipping Sparrows spend the summer in
most areas (including Mendocino and Sonoma counties) but move to the central valley and
southern California during winter (Zeiner 1990).
Life History & Threats: In California, breeding season begins in April-May. A solitary nester,
each clutch contains 3-5 eggs and often there are two broods per season (Granholm 1990). The
altricial young are tended by both parents and fledge at 14 days after hatching. The diet
consists of grass and weed seeds for most of the year, and insects and spiders during breeding
season (Middleton 1998).
Males return to the breeding area a week or so before the females, and begin to establish
territories. When the females return, pair bonds form. Although monogamy is common, some
males may have more than one mate. The male and female choose a nest site together, usually
in a conifer, within 15 feet of the ground. The female builds the nest, a loose, open cup made of
grass, weeds, and rootlets, lined with hair and fine grass. It is often situated at the outer end of a
branch in a clump of needles or leaves. The female incubates 4 eggs for 10 to 12 days. The male
feeds the female while she incubates. Both parents feed the young, which leave the nest 9 to 12
days after hatching. The young can make sustained flights within three days of leaving the nest,
although the parents continue to feed them for about three more weeks. Second broods are not
uncommon, but most pairs raise only one brood a season. (From Seattle Audubon 2005-
2008)
Although the Chipping Sparrow is still common and widespread across its range, its population
has ebbed and flowed as a result of human influences. Originally, the Chipping Sparrow was
probably not a common species, but may have benefited from European settlement. The
population peaked in the 1850s, when it was the most common city sparrow. Since the 1900s,
Chipping Sparrow populations have been declining due to habitat loss, Brown-headed Cowbird
parasitism, and competition with House Sparrows and House Finches. The population is still likely
to be greater than it was before European settlement. (From Seattle Audubon 2005-2008)
Habitat & Habitat Associations:
General: Coniferous forest with a grassy understory, oak woodlands, orchards, mixed evergreen
(Douglas fir and redwood) forests. (Hammerson 2009; Middleton 1998) Open woods (Sibley
2000).
The Chipping Sparrow prefers open woodlands, the borders of natural forest openings, edges of
rivers and lakes, and brushy, weedy fields (From Middleton 1998).
Nesting:
Its preference for nesting in the groves and open glades of coniferous forests, and for foraging in
brushy open areas, suit this sparrow to human-modified habitats. (From Middleton 1998).
Chipping Sparrows typically build their nests low in a shrub or tree,.. Females typically build their
nests between 3 and 10 feet off the ground, hidden in foliage at the tip of a branch. They gravitate
toward evergreen trees, but also nest in crabapples, honeysuckle tangles, maples, ornamental
shrubs, and other deciduous species. (From Middleton 1998).
Conceptual Basis for GIS Model Development: We mapped potential habitat for this species
as all vegetation types with a canopy cover < 40%.
Possible best nesting habitat (groves and open glades of coniferous forest) was mapped as
areas described above in coniferous forest types (i.e., Redwood-Douglas fir mix (Sequoia
sempervirens-Pseudotsuga menziesii) and Pacific Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii
var.menziesii) vegetation types)
Possible best foraging habitat (brushy open areas) was mapped as grasslands and chaparral.
Potential Occurrence in the Galbreath Wildlands Preserve: Protection status for this species
applies to nesting individuals.
Habitat: Chipping sparrows nest in open woodlands, preferring areas with coniferous species.
Nesting habitat quality in the Preserve is moderate to good (Figure 85). Areas with open
coniferous forest is highly limited occurring in only a few scattered locations in the Preserve.
The largest are is between the Rancheria and Livingston creeks.
Nearest Occurrence:
Documented Occurrences in the Galbreath Wildlands Preserve: This species has not
been documented on the Preserve. To our knowledge no surveys have been conducted.
Nearest Occurrence to the Galbreath Wildlands Preserve: This species has not been
reported to occur in USGS quads adjacent to the Preserve.
Summary: Nesting Chipping Sparrows are “Likely to Occur” in the Preserve because they are a
relatively common widespread resident in the region, and nesting habitat in the Preserve is
moderate to good with the potential to support breeding individuals.
References
Cornelll Lab of Ornithology 2009. Chipping Sparrow. All About Birds.
<http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide> 2011 Jan 16
Granholm S. 1990.Chipping Sparrow. California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System Life
History & Range Maps. <http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cwhr/cawildlife.aspx>. 2010 Jul 20
Hammerson G. 2009 Mar 20. Ecology and Life History Edition. Comprehensive Species ReportSpizella passerina. NatureServe Explorer, Version 7.1. <http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/>.
2010 Jul 20.
Middleton, Alex L. 1998. Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina), The Birds of North America
Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
<http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/334>. 2010 Jul 20.
Seattle Audubon Society. 2005-2008.Chipping Sparrow. Bird Web.
<http://birdweb.org/birdweb/> 2011 Jan 16.
Sibley DA. 2000. The Sibley Guide to Birds. New York: Alfred A Knopf. p 485.
Zeiner, DC, Laudenslayer, Jr. WF, Mayer KE, and White M, eds. 1990. Range Map of the
Chipping Sparrow. California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System Life History & Range Maps.
<http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cwhr/cawildlife.aspx>. 2010 Jul 20
Species Account Description: Kandis Gilmore & Emily Harvey