Song Sparrow

Melospiza melodia

This sparrow has a striped head and a streaked breast with a dark central spot. Its strong, conical bill is good for husking seeds. Males perch on low shrubs or posts—usually about eye-level— to sing, lifting their chins to send their announcements far and wide. Songs vary from place to place, but most last between 2 and 4 seconds, and combine melodious high notes with harsher trills, buzzes or squawks.

Fun Fact:
Male Song Sparrows new to an area must learn the local song in order to attract females.

What’s for Lunch:
Fruits and seeds, plus a few bugs, snails, worms, and spiders

Where’s Home:
Any open areas throughout the reserve, year-round