New World sparrows (Passerellidae)
Field Sparrow
Spizella pusilla. Grass seeds and insects from weedy fields.
New World sparrows (Passerellidae)Field SparrowSpizella pusilla
- Scientific name
- Spizella pusilla
- Length
- 4.7–5.9 in
- Weight
- 0.4–0.5 oz
- Nest
- Grass cup on or near the ground in old fields
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 2–6 eggs
- Incubation
- 10–12 days
- Broods
- 2–3 per season
Identification
- Plain-faced sparrow with a pink bill
- Rusty cap and white eye-ring
- Slim, long-tailed
Voice
Sweet accelerating trill, like a bouncing ball.
Diet and feeding
Grass seeds and insects from weedy fields.
What do field sparrows eat? · Best feeder for field sparrows
Field Sparrows by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Florida | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Iowa | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Maine | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Michigan | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Minnesota | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Nebraska | Year-round resident | April–July |
| New Hampshire | Year-round resident | May–July |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | April–July |
| New York | Year-round resident | April–July |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | April–July |
| North Dakota | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | April–July |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | March–July |
| South Dakota | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Texas | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Vermont | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | April–July |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Wisconsin | Year-round resident | May–July |
Frequently asked
What do field sparrows eat?
Grass seeds and insects from weedy fields. At feeders: millet, cracked corn.
How big is a Field Sparrow?
4.7–5.9 in long and 0.4–0.5 oz.
Do field sparrows use birdhouses?
No. Grass cup on or near the ground in old fields.
Sources
- Field Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Field Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Field 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.