Chipping Sparrow 342539 214292345 2008-05-22T22:20:19Z 98.227.91.32 /* Vocalizations */ {{Taxobox | name = Chipping Sparrow | image = Spizella-passerina-015 edit.jpg | image_width = 240px | image_caption = Adult in breeding plumage | status = LC | status_system = iucn3.1 | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[Bird|Aves]] | subclassis = [[Modern birds|Neornithes]] | infraclassis = [[Neognathae]] | superordo = [[Neoaves]] | ordo = [[Passerine|Passeriformes]] | subordo = [[Songbird|Passeri]] | infraordo = [[Passerida]] | superfamilia = [[Passeroidea]] | familia = [[Emberizidae]] | genus = ''[[Spizella]]'' | species = '''''S. passerina''''' | binomial = ''Spizella passerina'' | binomial_authority = ([[Johann Matthäus Bechstein|Bechstein]], 1798) | synonyms = ''Spizella socialis'' }} The '''Chipping Sparrow''' ('''''Spizella passerina''''') is a [[species]] of [[American sparrow]] in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Emberizidae]]. It is widespread, fairly tame, and common across most of its [[North America]]n range. ==Description== Throughout the year, adults are gray below and an orangish-rust color above. Adults in alternate (breeding) [[plumage]] have a [[Persimmon (color)|persimmon-red]] cap, a nearly white [[supercilium]], and a black trans-ocular line (running through the eye). Adults in basic (nonbreeding) plumage are less prominently marked, with a brownish cap, a dusky eyebrow, and a dark eye-line. Juvenile Chipping Sparrows are prominently streaked below. Like nonbreeding adults, they show a dark eye-line, extending both in front of and behind the eye. The brownish cap and dusky eyebrow are variable but generally obscure in juveniles. ===Vocalizations=== {{Sound sample box align left|Sound sample:}}{{Listen|filename=Spizella-passerina-002.ogg|title=Four songs of the Chipping Sparrow.|description=[[American Robin]], [[Song Sparrow]], [[Red-winged Blackbird]] and [[Common Grackle]] sing in background.|format=[[Ogg]]}}{{sample box end}} The [[Bird vocalization|song]] is a trill that varies considerably among birds within any particular region. Two broad classes of variation in the song of the Chipping Sparrow are the fast trill and the slow trill. Individual elements in the fast trill are run together about twice as fast as in the slow trill; the fast trill sounds like a buzz or like someone snoring, whereas the slow trill sounds like rapid finger-tapping. Individual elements in the trill are very similar to a high pitch "chi chi chi" call. The flight call of the Chipping Sparrow is heard year-round. Its flight call is piercing and pure-tone, lasting about 50 milliseconds. It starts out around 9&nbsp;[[hertz|kHz]], then falls to 7&nbsp;kHz, then rises again to 9&nbsp;kHz. The flight call may be transliterated as 'seen?' Chipping Sparrows migrate by night, and their flight calls are a characteristic sound of the night sky in spring and fall in the United States. In the southern [[Rocky Mountains|Rockies]] and eastern [[Great Plains]], the Chipping Sparrow appears to be the most common nocturnal migrant, judged by the number of flight calls detected per hour. On typical nights in August in this region, Chipping Sparrows may be heard at a rate of 15 flight calls per hour. On better-than-average nights, Chipping Sparrows occur at a rate of 60 flight calls per hour, and on exceptional nights Chipping Sparrows flight calls are heard more than 200 times per hour. ==Systematics== Chipping Sparrows vary across their extensive North American range. There is minor geographic variation in appearance, and there is significant geographic variation in behavior. [[Ornithologist]]s often divide the Chipping Sparrow into two major groups: the '''Eastern Chipping Sparrow''' and the '''Western Chipping Sparrow'''. However, there is additional plumage and behavioral variation within the Western group. At least two [[subspecies]] of Chipping Sparrows occur in western North America. The widespread ''Spizella passerina arizonae'' is associated with mountains and [[arid]] habitats of the western interior. A Pacific slope population constitutes subspecies ''S. p. stridula''. Although these two races are both western, and are often lumped together as the Western Chipping Sparrow, they do not necessarily form a single entity that stands apart from the Eastern Chipping Sparrow (''S. p. passerina''). ==Ecology== In eastern North America, Chipping Sparrows breed in woodlands, farmlands, and suburban and urban districts. In western North America, the Chipping Sparrow prefers [[conifer]] forests for breeding. The Chipping Sparrow is partially [[bird migration|migratory]], with almost all mid-latitude and high-latitude breeders withdrawing in winter to the [[southern United States]] and [[Mexico]]. On the wintering grounds and during migration, Chipping Sparrows are gregarious, forming tight flocks with other Chipping Sparrows or loose assemblages with other species such as [[Eastern Bluebird]]s and [[Pine Warbler]]s. Throughout the year, Chipping Sparrows forage on the ground, often in loose flocks. Their diet consists mainly of [[seed]]s and crumbs of mostly any food, especially those fallen on the ground. Chipping Sparrows frequently forage directly from [[forb]]s and [[grass]]es, too. At any time of the year, especially, in spring, Chipping Sparrows may be seen in trees, even up in the canopy, where they forage on fresh buds and glean for arboreal [[arthropod]]s. Although they are wary, Chipping Sparrows often allow close approach. A quiet observer can often get to within 50-100 feet of one or more Chipping Sparrows feeding on the ground. When spooked, Chipping Sparrows fly a short distance to the nearest tree or fencerow. In early spring, the first migrants return from their wintering grounds in March, but the bulk of migrants arrives throughout April.<ref name = henninger+oos>Henninger (1906), OOS (2004)</ref> Males set up territories right away, and their trilled songs make them conspicuous. Breeding begins as early as April, but again, most nesting activity occurs from late April to early May onwards.<ref name = henninger+oos /> [[Molt]] in the Chipping Sparrow follows the "Complex Alternate Strategy" as usual for American sparrows. It consequently has two molts per year as adults and three molts in their first year of life, also called their first plumage-cycle. The Chipping Sparrow's two adult molts occur in late summer and late winter. Although this bird's original habitat was probably coniferous forest, especially the eastern subspecies has adapted well to the changes brought about by increased human population in its range. <!-- ==Further reading== ===Monograph=== * Middleton, A. L. 1998. Chipping Sparrow (''Spizella passerina''), in: A. Poole and F. Gill, eds. ''The Birds of North America'' No. 334. The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. ===Thesis=== * Liu W-C. Ph.D. (2001). ''Development, variation, and use of songs by chipping sparrows''. University of Massachusetts Amherst, United States -- Massachusetts. * Perez DE. M.A. (1982). ''Parental Foraging in Chipping Sparrows (Spizella passerina)''. Western Michigan University, United States -- Michigan. * Tate DJR. Ph.D. (1973). ''Habitat usage by the Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) in northern lower Michigan''. The University of Nebraska - Lincoln, United States -- Nebraska. ===Articles=== * Albrecht DJ & Oring LW. (1995). ''Song in chipping sparrows, Spizella passerina: Structure and function''. Animal Behaviour. vol '''50''', p. 1233-1241. * Anderson SH & Van Hook RIJ. (1973). ''Uptake and Biological Turnover of Cadmium-109 in Chipping Sparrows Spizella-Passerina''. Environmental Physiology & Biochemistry. vol '''3''', no 5. p. 243-247. * Braestrup FW. (1968). ''Evolution of Vertebrates Parus-Ater Parus-Cristatus Parus-Montanus Nemeritis-Canescens Phylloscopus-Sibilatrix Delichon-Urbica Spizella-Passerina Peromyscus-Maniculatus Turdus-Merula Turdus-Viscivorus Acrocephalus-Palustris''. Zoologischer Anzeiger. vol '''181''', no 1/2. p. 1-22. * Catherine PO & Joseph CO. (2001). ''Effects of Brown-headed Cowbirds on the nesting success of Chipping Sparrows in southwest Colorado''. The Condor. vol '''103''', no 1. p. 127. * Dawson WR, Carey C, Adkisson CS & Ohmart RD. (1979). ''Responses of Brewers Sparrows Spizella-Breweri and Chipping Sparrows Spizella-Passerina to Water Restriction''. Physiological Zoology. vol '''52''', no 4. p. 529-541. * Earley CG. (1991). ''Brown-headed Cowbird, ''Molothrus ater'', seen removing a Chipping Sparrow, ''Spizella passerina'', egg''. Canadian Field-Naturalist. vol '''105''', no 2. p. 281-282. * Fillmore ER & Titman RD. (1977). ''CHIPPING SPARROW HANGED''. Canadian Field-Naturalist. vol '''91''', no 1. p. 69-69. * Foster J & Tozer R. (2001). ''Chipping sparrow feeds young of Eastern Kingbird''. Ontario Birds. vol '''19''', no 2. p. 79-83. * Liu W-C & Kroodsma DE. (1999). ''Song development by chipping sparrows and field sparrows''. Animal Behaviour. vol '''57''', p. 1275. * Liu W-C & Kroodsma DE. (2007). ''Dawn and daytime singing behavior of chipping sparrows (Spizella passerina)''. Auk. vol '''124''', no 1. p. 44-52. * Middleton ALA & Prescott DRC. (1989). ''POLYGYNY, EXTRA-PAIR COPULATIONS, AND NEST HELPERS IN THE CHIPPING SPARROW, SPIZELLA-PASSERINA''. Canadian Field-Naturalist. vol '''103''', no 1. p. 61-64. * Moldenha.Rr & Taylor PG. (1973). ''ENERGY-INTAKE BY HYDROPENIC CHIPPING SPARROWS (SPIZELLA-PASSERINA-PASSERINA) MAINTAINED ON DIFFERENT DIETS''. Condor. vol '''75''', no 4. p. 439-445. * Pulliam HR. (1980). ''Do Chipping Sparrows Spizella-Passerina-Arizonae Forage Optimally''. Ardea. vol '''68''', no 1-4. p. 75-82. * Reynolds JD & Knapton RW. (1984). ''Nest-Site Selection and Breeding Biology of the Chipping Sparrow Spizella-Passerina''. Wilson Bulletin. vol '''96''', no 3. p. 488-493. * Scott DM. (1988). ''HOUSE SPARROW AND CHIPPING SPARROW FEED THE SAME FLEDGLING BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD''. Wilson Bulletin. vol '''100''', no 2. p. 323-324. * Simmons GA & Sloan NF. (1974). ''Consumption of Jack-Pine Budworm Choristoneura-Pinus by the Eastern Chipping Sparrow Spizella-Passerina''. Canadian Journal of Zoology. vol '''52''', no 7. p. 817-821. * Sloan NF & Simmons GA. (1973). ''Foraging Behavior of the Chipping Sparrow in Response to High Populations of Jack Pine Budworm''. American Midland Naturalist. vol '''90''', no 1. p. 210-215. * Stewart PA. (1968). ''Bird Migration through an Abandoned Farmstead Richmondena-Cardinalis Behavior Dendroica-Palmarum Guiraca-Caerulea Spizella-Passerina''. Chat. vol '''32''', no 4. * Swanson HM, Kinney B & Cruz A. (2004). ''Breeding biology of the Chipping Sparrow in ponderosa pine forests of the Colorado Front Range''. Wilson Bulletin. vol '''116''', no 3. p. 246-251. * Wan-Chun L. (2004). ''The effect of neighbours and females on dawn and daytime singing behaviours by male chipping sparrows''. Animal Behaviour. vol '''68''', p. 39. * Wan-Chun L & Donald EK. (2006). ''SONG LEARNING BY CHIPPING SPARROWS: WHEN, WHERE, AND FROM WHOM''. The Condor. vol '''108''', no 3. p. 509. * Zink RM & Dittmann DL. (1993). ''Population structure and gene flow in the chipping sparrow and a hypothesis for evolution in the genus Spizella''. The Wilson Bulletin. vol '''105''', no 3. p. 399-413. <div class="reflist4" style="height: 220px; overflow: auto; padding: 3px" > </div> --> ==Footnotes== {{Reflist}} ==References== * {{IUCN2006|assessors={{aut|BirdLife International}}|year=2004|id=53565|title=Spizella passerina|downloaded=5 May 2006}} Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern. * {{aut|Henninger, W.F.}} (1906): A preliminary list of the birds of Seneca County, Ohio. ''[[Wilson Bulletin|Wilson Bull.]]'' '''18'''(2): 47-60. [http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Wilson/DJVU/v018n02/P0047-P0060.djvu DjVu fulltext] [http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Wilson/v018n02/p0047-p0060.pdf PDF fulltext] * {{aut|Ohio Ornithological Society (OOS)}} (2004): Annotated Ohio state checklist. Version of April 2004. [http://www.ohiobirds.org/publications/OBRClist.pdf PDF fulltext] ==External links== {{commons|Spizella passerina}} *[http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i5600id.html Chipping Sparrow - ''Spizella passerina''] - USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter *[http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Chipping_Sparrow.html Chipping Sparrow Species Account] - Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology *[http://www.sdakotabirds.com/species/chipping_sparrow_info.htm Chipping Sparrow Information and Photos] - South Dakota Birds and Birding [[Category:Spizella]] [[de:Schwirrammer]] [[fr:Bruant familier]] [[ja:チャガシラヒメドリ]] [[pl:Spizela białobrewa]]