Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
Passerellidae
One of the most widespread and variable sparrows in North America — 24 recognized subspecies. The NJ Song Sparrow is a warm brown streaky sparrow with a heavy central chest spot, a strong facial pattern, and one of the most persistent songs of any yard bird. Sings from spring through late fall from any exposed perch it can find.
How to spot one.
5–6 inches, streaky and rusty-brown overall
Heavy dark central spot on white breast (the 'stickpin')
Bold rust-brown streaks on white flanks
Distinctive facial pattern: pale eye-stripe, dark moustache, gray cheek
Pumps its tail in flight
What it sounds like.
Rich, varied musical song that starts with two or three clear notes and cascades into a jumble: 'maids-maids-maids-put-on-your-tea-kettle-tettle-tettle.' Every male sings his own variation — you can identify individual birds in a yard by their phrasing.
How it lives.
Ground and shrub forager. Nests low in dense vegetation or on the ground. Highly territorial; a male will sing from the same handful of perches all season. Some NJ populations are strictly resident; others move south slightly in winter.
The spec sheet.
- Status
- Year-round resident
- Size
- 4.7–6.7 inches
- Present in NJ
- Year-round
- Native to NJ
- Yes
- Conservation status
- stable
- Family
- Passerellidae
What it eats.
Diet often shifts dramatically between breeding season and the rest of the year — especially for insectivorous birds that pivot to native berries in fall and winter.
Summer / breeding season
Beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, ants, wasps
Spiders
Grass seeds and berries as they become available
Fall / winter
Grass and weed seeds
Berries persistent into winter
Coastal populations also eat small crustaceans and mollusks
What it needs.
Native plants that feed this bird or provide shelter. Names in hydrangea link to the plant’s Field Guide entry.
Seed source
Seed source
Native grasses
Seed source
Dense low shrubs and brush piles
Cover / habitat
Audubon Field Guide · All About Birds (Cornell)
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