New World sparrows (Passerellidae)
Fox Sparrow
Passerella iliaca. Seeds and insects scratched from leaf litter.
New World sparrows (Passerellidae)Fox SparrowPasserella iliaca
- Scientific name
- Passerella iliaca
- Length
- 5.9–7.5 in
- Weight
- 0.9–1.6 oz
- Nest
- Cup on the ground or low in shrubs
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 2–5 eggs
- Incubation
- 12–14 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Large sparrow with heavy triangular spots
- Foxy-red (east) or dark brown (Pacific) plumage
- Grey face
Voice
Rich, whistled song.
Diet and feeding
Seeds and insects scratched from leaf litter.
Fox Sparrows by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Winter visitor | — |
| Alaska | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Alberta | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Arkansas | Winter visitor | — |
| British Columbia | Summer breeder | June–July |
| California | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Colorado | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Connecticut | Winter visitor | — |
| Delaware | Winter visitor | — |
| Florida | Winter visitor | — |
| Georgia | Winter visitor | — |
| Idaho | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Illinois | Winter visitor | — |
| Indiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Kansas | Winter visitor | — |
| Kentucky | Winter visitor | — |
| Louisiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Manitoba | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Maryland | Winter visitor | — |
| Massachusetts | Winter visitor | — |
| Mississippi | Winter visitor | — |
| Missouri | Winter visitor | — |
| Montana | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Nevada | Summer breeder | May–July |
| New Jersey | Winter visitor | — |
| New York | Winter visitor | — |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Summer breeder | June–July |
| North Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| Northwest Territories | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Ohio | Winter visitor | — |
| Oklahoma | Winter visitor | — |
| Oregon | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Pennsylvania | Winter visitor | — |
| Quebec | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Rhode Island | Winter visitor | — |
| Saskatchewan | Summer breeder | June–July |
| South Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| Tennessee | Winter visitor | — |
| Texas | Winter visitor | — |
| Utah | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| Washington | Year-round resident | May–July |
| West Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| Wyoming | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Yukon | Summer breeder | June–July |
Frequently asked
What do fox sparrows eat?
Seeds and insects scratched from leaf litter. At feeders: millet, sunflower chips.
How big is a Fox Sparrow?
5.9–7.5 in long and 0.9–1.6 oz.
Do fox sparrows use birdhouses?
No. Cup on the ground or low in shrubs.
Sources
- Fox Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Fox Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Fox 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.