New World sparrows (Passerellidae)
American Tree Sparrow
Spizelloides arborea. Seeds in winter; insects on the Arctic breeding grounds.
New World sparrows (Passerellidae)American Tree SparrowSpizelloides arborea
- Scientific name
- Spizelloides arborea
- Length
- 5.5 in
- Weight
- 0.5–1 oz
- Nest
- Cup on the ground in tundra shrubs
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 4–6 eggs
- Incubation
- 11–13 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Rusty cap and eye-line
- Dark central breast spot
- Bicolored bill, dark above and yellow below
Voice
Tinkling 'teedle-eet' calls in flocks.
Diet and feeding
Seeds in winter; insects on the Arctic breeding grounds.
What do American tree sparrows eat? · Best feeder for American tree sparrows
American Tree Sparrows by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Summer breeder | July |
| Alberta | Winter visitor | — |
| British Columbia | Winter visitor | — |
| Colorado | Winter visitor | — |
| Connecticut | Winter visitor | — |
| Delaware | Winter visitor | — |
| Idaho | Winter visitor | — |
| Illinois | Winter visitor | — |
| Indiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Iowa | Winter visitor | — |
| Kansas | Winter visitor | — |
| Kentucky | Winter visitor | — |
| Maine | Winter visitor | — |
| Manitoba | Winter visitor | — |
| Maryland | Winter visitor | — |
| Massachusetts | Winter visitor | — |
| Michigan | Winter visitor | — |
| Minnesota | Winter visitor | — |
| Missouri | Winter visitor | — |
| Montana | Winter visitor | — |
| Nebraska | Winter visitor | — |
| Nevada | Winter visitor | — |
| New Brunswick | Winter visitor | — |
| New Hampshire | Winter visitor | — |
| New Jersey | Winter visitor | — |
| New York | Winter visitor | — |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Winter visitor | — |
| North Dakota | Winter visitor | — |
| Northwest Territories | Summer breeder | July |
| Nova Scotia | Winter visitor | — |
| Nunavut | Summer breeder | July |
| Ohio | Winter visitor | — |
| Oklahoma | Winter visitor | — |
| Ontario | Winter visitor | — |
| Oregon | Winter visitor | — |
| Pennsylvania | Winter visitor | — |
| Prince Edward Island | Winter visitor | — |
| Quebec | Winter visitor | — |
| Rhode Island | Winter visitor | — |
| Saskatchewan | Winter visitor | — |
| South Dakota | Winter visitor | — |
| Tennessee | Winter visitor | — |
| Utah | Winter visitor | — |
| Vermont | Winter visitor | — |
| Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| Washington | Winter visitor | — |
| West Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| Wisconsin | Winter visitor | — |
| Wyoming | Winter visitor | — |
| Yukon | Summer breeder | July |
Frequently asked
What do American tree sparrows eat?
Seeds in winter; insects on the Arctic breeding grounds. At feeders: millet, hulled sunflower.
How big is a American Tree Sparrow?
5.5 in long and 0.5–1 oz.
Do American tree sparrows use birdhouses?
No. Cup on the ground in tundra shrubs.
Sources
- American Tree Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Tree Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Tree Sparrow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.