Fifty Birds of Town and City
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
The song sparrow is the most widely distributed of all our native sparrows, appearing in one
form or another from Florida to Alaska and range in color from pale to dark brown.
Song sparrows love water and are most numerous where streams, ponds, or marshes offer dense
cover, but yards with shrubs and vines will attract them.
Song sparrows space requirements are small. A pair will live and nest in 1-1/2 acres
or less. They nest on or near the ground, both parents help raise the young, and
they raise up to four broods a year. Cowbirds often lay eggs in their nests, and are
considered with dogs, cats, and rats as their greatest enemies.
There are many sparrows with spotted breasts, but the heavy dot in the center of
the chest and the streaks on breast and flanks distinguish this bird from others.
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