Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
Male Song Sparrows learn their songs from neighbors, creating distinct local 'dialects' similar to human regional accents.
- Scientific name
- Melospiza melodia
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Passerellidae › Melospiza
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Brushy fields, marshes, forest edges, and suburban gardens.
- Diet
- Primarily seeds and berries in winter; insects, spiders, and occasionally small mollusks in summer.
- Range
- North America, Canada, United States, Mexico
- Size
- 12-17 cm long, 18-24 cm wingspan
- Lifespan
- 2-5 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation, outdoor cat predation, and window strikes.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. Observe from a distance to avoid disturbing nesting sites. If you find a fledgling on the ground, leave it alone as parents are likely nearby. No medical risk.
The song sparrow ( Melospiza melodia ) is a medium-sized American sparrow. Among the native sparrows in North America, it is easily one of the most abundant, variable and adaptable species.
Photo: Daniel Levitis, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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