Bold white wingbars, a clear rusty cap and eyeline with a bicolored bill and a distinct dark breast spot, the American Tree Sparrow sings a clear warble and its good looks will draw you in.
This common country bird winters in brushy or weedy habitat near trees, in back yards, and marshes. Prone to mix with other sparrows in the winter, it will form large flocks that wander far and wide. Why it is named the tree sparrow is odd, as it is a bird of low shrubs. They will beat tall weeds with their wings until the seeds fall to the ground outside of breeding season. At that time they also subsist on berries and seeds.
The medium sized sparrow, as it is commonly called, has a long thin tail and often fluffs itself to make it appear larger. Migrating late in the fall and early in the spring, these birds are near to or ground nesters, often lining their nests with ptarmigan feathers for both warmth and comfort. They have adapted well to urban environments out of the breeding season and make full use of human resources. They will eat scattered millet from the ground, and have been confused with the Chipping Sparrow, so know their arrival/departure dates.
American Tree Sparrow
allaboutbirds.org
Their breeding and wintering ranges do not overlap, having remarkably wide ranges between breeding season and their equally large winter range. The key to find them is to look for them near low points.
The winter sparrow has a large breeding range between the tundra and boreal forest transitional zone in shrubby habitat.
If you wish to attract these beautiful birds to your back yard, forego the raking and keep a section of your yard unkempt. Many sparrows enjoy scratching upon the ground for food, as do the remainder of their family like towhees and juncos. Have a water source nearby, as well as untrimmed bushes still holding their dried fruit on the branches. Also save your seeds by not dead heading your spent flowers for additional food. Also build a brush and/or rock pile from the garden, forego pesticides, and plant natives in order to attract native birds by contacting your local forestry service, a good source.
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