Most sparrow species are found in Texas. We have compiled a curated list of 25 sparrow species of these beautiful birds. Along with all their information, fun facts, and pictures.
List of 25 Sparrows Of Texas
1. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus):
Small bird with a chunky body, short tail, and strong beak. Males have a gray crown, white cheeks, and a black bib.
- Diet: Eats seeds, grains, and insects. Often found near human settlements scavenging for food.
- Nesting Habits: Builds nests in cavities, like holes in buildings or trees. They use grass, feathers, and paper for their nests.
- Fun Fact: House Sparrows are not native to North America. They were introduced from Europe in the 1850s and have since spread widely
2. American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea):
Medium-sized sparrow with a rusty cap, gray face, and a dark spot on the breast. Has a long, forked tail and pinkish legs.
- Diet: Feeds on seeds, berries, and insects. In winter, mainly eats seeds from grasses and weeds.
- Nesting Habits: Nests on the ground, often in a well-hidden spot. The nest is made of grass, lined with fine materials like feathers.
- Fun Fact: American Tree Sparrows are often mistaken for Chipping Sparrows, but can be distinguished by their bicolored bill, with a dark upper mandible and a yellowish lower mandible
3.Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina):
Small sparrow with a rusty cap, white eyebrows, and a grayish breast. They have a slender body and a long, notched tail.
- Diet: Primarily eats seeds and insects. During the breeding season, they also feed on small fruits and berries.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests in trees or shrubs, using grass, twigs, and hair. They prefer open woodlands and gardens for nesting.
- Fun Fact: Chipping Sparrows are known for their trilling song, which sounds like a fast series of chips. They are social birds, often seen in flocks outside the breeding season
4. Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida):
Small sparrow with a pale brown body, a white throat, and a distinctive gray collar. They have a short tail and a fine bill.
- Diet: Eats mainly seeds and insects. They forage on the ground or in low vegetation.
- Nesting Habits: Constructs cup-shaped nests in shrubs or low trees, using grasses and lined with fine materials. They prefer open habitats with scattered shrubs.
- Fun Fact: Clay-colored Sparrows have a unique, buzzing song that is often compared to the sound of an insect. They are migratory birds, spending winters in Mexico and the southwestern United States
5.Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla):
Small sparrow with a pink bill, a rusty cap, and a clear, gray breast. They have a round head and a long tail.
- Diet: Feeds on seeds, insects, and small invertebrates. They forage on the ground or in low bushes.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests on or near the ground, using grasses and lined with fine materials like hair. They prefer open grassy areas with scattered shrubs.
- Fun Fact: Field Sparrows have a distinctive, sweet song that starts with clear whistles and accelerates into a trill. They are often seen in flocks during the non-breeding season.
6.Brewer’s Sparrow (Spizella breweri):
Small sparrow with a plain gray-brown body and a finely streaked crown. They have a thin bill and a long, notched tail.
- Diet: Eats mainly seeds and insects. They forage on the ground or in low shrubs.
- Nesting Habits: Constructs cup-shaped nests in shrubs or low trees, using grasses and lined with fine materials like hair. They prefer arid habitats with sagebrush.
- Fun Fact: Brewer’s Sparrows are known for their trilling song, which can last for several seconds. They are often found in large flocks outside the breeding season.
7. Black-chinned Sparrow (Spizella atrogularis):
Small sparrow with a distinctive black chin and throat, gray upperparts, and a pale gray breast. They have a long, rounded tail.
- Diet: Primarily feeds on seeds and insects. They forage on the ground or in low vegetation.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests in shrubs or low trees, using grasses and lined with fine materials. They prefer dry, open habitats with scattered shrubs.
- Fun Fact: Black-chinned Sparrows are often elusive and can be difficult to spot, but their sweet, musical song can reveal their presence
8.Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus):
Medium-sized sparrow with a streaked brown back, white belly, and a distinctive white eye-ring. They have a short, thick bill and a long, notched tail.
- Diet: Feeds on seeds and insects. They forage on the ground in open fields and grasslands.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests on the ground, hidden among grasses or under shrubs. They use grasses and plant material, lining the nest with finer materials.
- Fun Fact: Vesper Sparrows are named for their singing habits, as they often sing in the evening or “vesper” hours. Their song is a series of clear, melodious whistles
9. Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus):
Distinctive sparrow with a boldly patterned face, chestnut cheeks, and a white breast with a central black spot. They have a long, rounded tail with white corners.
- Diet: Eats seeds, insects, and small fruits. They forage on the ground in open areas or under shrubs.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests on the ground or in low shrubs, using grasses and plant material. They prefer open habitats with scattered trees or shrubs.
- Fun Fact: Lark Sparrows are known for their melodious song, which is a mix of clear notes and trills. They are often seen in small flocks during migration.
10. Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata):
Small sparrow with a distinctive black throat, white face, and gray upperparts. They have a slender bill and a long, rounded tail.
- Diet: Primarily feeds on seeds and insects. They forage on the ground or in low shrubs in arid habitats.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests in shrubs or low trees, using grasses and plant material. They prefer desert and scrubland habitats.
- Fun Fact: Black-throated Sparrows are well-adapted to dry environments and can survive long periods without water, getting moisture from their food
11. Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis):
Medium-sized sparrow with a streaked brown back, white belly, and a distinctive yellowish eyebrow. They have a short, notched tail and a small bill.
- Diet: Feeds on seeds, insects, and small invertebrates. They forage on the ground in open fields and grasslands.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests on the ground, hidden among grasses. They use grasses and plant material, lining the nest with softer materials.
- Fun Fact: Savannah Sparrows are named after Savannah, Georgia, where one of the first specimens was collected. They have a pleasant, buzzy song that is often heard in their grassland habitats.
12.Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum):
Small sparrow with a flat head, buffy breast, and a streaked brown back. They have a short, notched tail and a thick bill.
- Diet: Primarily feeds on grasshoppers and other insects, as well as seeds. They forage on the ground in open grasslands.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests on the ground, hidden among grasses. They use grasses and plant material, lining the nest with finer materials.
- Fun Fact: Grasshopper Sparrows are named for their insect-like song, which sounds like a grasshopper’s buzz. They are often difficult to spot due to their camouflaged plumage and low-profile behavior
13.Baird’s Sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii):
Small sparrow with a streaked brown back, buffy underparts, and a distinctive yellowish face with a dark mustache stripe. They have a short, notched tail and a thick bill.
- Diet: Feeds on seeds and insects. They forage on the ground in open grasslands and prairies.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests on the ground, hidden among grasses. They use grasses and plant material, lining the nest with finer materials.
- Fun Fact: Baird’s Sparrows are named after Spencer Fullerton Baird, a 19th-century American naturalist. They are known for their beautiful, melodious song, which is often heard in their prairie habitats.
14. Henslow’s Sparrow (Centronyx henslowii):
Small sparrow with a streaked olive-green back, a chestnut crown, and a plain buffy breast. They have a short, notched tail and a thick bill.
- Diet: Feeds on seeds and insects. They forage on the ground in tall grasslands and meadows.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests on the ground, hidden among tall grasses. They use grasses and plant material, lining the nest with softer materials.
- Fun Fact: Henslow’s Sparrows are named after John Stevens Henslow, a British botanist and mentor to Charles Darwin. They are known for their elusive nature and their soft, insect-like song.
15. LeConte’s Sparrow (Ammospiza leconteii):
Small sparrow with a buffy orange face, streaked back, and a gray nape. They have a short, notched tail and a fine bill.
- Diet: Feeds on seeds and insects. They forage on the ground in wet grasslands and marshes.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests on the ground, hidden among dense grasses. They use grasses and plant material, lining the nest with finer materials.
- Fun Fact: LeConte’s Sparrows are named after John Lawrence LeConte, a 19th-century American entomologist. They are elusive birds, often difficult to spot due to their secretive behavior and preference for dense grassland habitats.
16. Nelson’s Sparrow (Ammospiza nelsoni):
Small sparrow with an orange-buff face, gray nape, and a streaked back. They have a short, notched tail and a fine bill.
- Diet: Feeds on seeds and insects. They forage on the ground in marshes and wet grasslands.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests on the ground, hidden among dense grasses in wetland areas. They use grasses and plant material, lining the nest with finer materials.
- Fun Fact: Nelson’s Sparrows are named after Edward William Nelson, a 19th-century American naturalist. They are known for their secretive behavior and are more often heard than seen in their marshy habitats.
17. Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca):
Large sparrow with a heavily spotted breast, reddish-brown back, and a thick bill. They have a long, rounded tail.
- Diet: Feeds on seeds, insects, and berries. They forage on the ground, often using a scratching motion to uncover food.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests on or near the ground in dense shrubs or undergrowth. They use grasses, twigs, and leaves, lining the nest with softer materials.
- Fun Fact: Fox Sparrows are named for their fox-like reddish coloration. They have a beautiful, melodious song and are known for their vigorous ‘double-scratching’ foraging technique.
18. Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia):
Medium-sized sparrow with a streaked brown back, white underparts with dark streaks, and a long, rounded tail. They have a thick bill and a distinctive dark spot on the breast.
- Diet: Feeds on seeds, insects, and berries. They forage on the ground and in low vegetation, often near water.
- Nesting Habits: Build cup-shaped nests on or near the ground in dense shrubs or grasses. They use grasses, leaves, and bark, lining the nest with finer materials.
- Fun Fact: Song Sparrows are known for their melodious and complex song, which can vary widely across different regions. They are one of the most widespread and familiar sparrows in North America.
19. Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii):
Small sparrow with a buffy chest, fine streaks on the breast, and a gray face with a fine, dark eye-line. They have a short, notched tail and a slender bill.
- Diet: Feeds on seeds, insects, and small invertebrates. They forage on the ground and in low vegetation, often in moist habitats.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests on or near the ground in dense shrubs or grasses. They use grasses, moss, and bark, lining the nest with softer materials.
- Fun Fact: Lincoln’s Sparrows are named after Thomas Lincoln, a friend of the naturalist John James Audubon. They are known for their musical, trilling song, which is often heard in their wetland and brushy habitats.
20. Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana):
Medium-sized sparrow with a rusty cap, gray face, and dark, streaked back. They have a short, notched tail and a stout bill.
- Diet: Feeds on seeds, insects, and small invertebrates. They forage on the ground and in low vegetation, often near water.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests on or near the ground in dense vegetation in wetlands or near water. They use grasses, sedges, and leaves, lining the nest with softer materials.
- Fun Fact: Swamp Sparrows are named for their preferred habitat of swamps and marshes. They have a sweet, trilling song and are more often heard than seen due to their secretive nature.
21.White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis):
Medium-sized sparrow with a white throat, yellow lores, black and white crown stripes, and a gray breast. They have a long, notched tail and a stout bill.
- Diet: Feeds on seeds, insects, and berries. They forage on the ground and in low vegetation, often in wooded or brushy areas.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests on or near the ground in dense vegetation or underbrush. They use grasses, leaves, and bark, lining the nest with softer materials.
- Fun Fact: White-throated Sparrows are known for their distinctive song, often described as “Old Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody” or “Oh sweet Canada, Canada, Canada.” They are a common sight at bird feeders in winter.
22 .Harris’s Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula):
Large sparrow with a black crown, face, and throat, contrasting with a gray body and pink bill. They have a long, rounded tail.
- Diet: Feeds on seeds, insects, and berries. They forage on the ground and in low vegetation, often in flocks during migration and winter.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests on the ground or in low shrubs in the tundra or boreal forest. They use grasses, moss, and lichens, lining the nest with softer materials.
- Fun Fact: Harris’s Sparrows are the only songbird species that breeds exclusively in Canada and winters primarily in the central United States. They are known for their melodious song, which is a mix of whistles and trills
23.White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys):
Medium-sized sparrow with distinctive black and white stripes on the crown, a gray face, and a pale breast. They have a long, notched tail and a stout bill.
- Diet: Feeds on seeds, insects, and berries. They forage on the ground and in low vegetation, often in open or semi-open areas.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests on or near the ground in dense vegetation or underbrush. They use grasses, twigs, and leaves, lining the nest with softer materials.
- Fun Fact: White-crowned Sparrows are known for their clear, whistling song that varies regionally. They are a common sight in North America, especially during migration and in winter.
24.Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla):
Medium-sized sparrow with a distinctive yellow crown, bordered by black stripes, a gray face, and a pale breast. They have a long, notched tail and a stout bill.
- Diet: Feeds on seeds, insects, and berries. They forage on the ground and in low vegetation, often in open or brushy areas.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests on or near the ground in dense vegetation or underbrush. They use grasses, moss, and leaves, lining the nest with softer materials.
- Fun Fact: Golden-crowned Sparrows are known for their melancholic song that sounds like “Oh, dear me.” They breed in Alaska and western Canada and winter along the Pacific coast.
25.Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis):
Small sparrow with a slate-gray or brown body, white belly, and distinctive white outer tail feathers. They have a short, stout bill and a rounded head.
- Diet: Feeds on seeds, insects, and berries. They forage on the ground, often in flocks, especially in winter.
- Nesting Habits: Builds cup-shaped nests on the ground or in low shrubs, using grasses, moss, and leaves, lined with softer materials like hair or fine grasses.
- Fun Fact: Dark-eyed Juncos are also known as “snowbirds” because they often appear in backyards during winter. They have a wide range of regional variations in color and are a common sight at bird feeders.
Conservation and Challenges for Sparrows:
Sparrows face several threats, with habitat loss and degradation being the most significant. Urbanization, agriculture, and pollution reduce their natural habitats, making it hard for them to find food and shelter.
To protect sparrows, conservation efforts are crucial. This includes creating and preserving natural habitats, like grasslands and wetlands. Planting native plants and providing bird feeders can also help.
In Texas, efforts to conserve birds like sparrows are essential, just as they are for wrens Texas is home to. Protecting these birds ensures the health of our ecosystems.
Spotting and Enjoying Sparrows in Texas:
To spot sparrows in Texas, visit parks or nature reserves with native vegetation. Use binoculars and a field guide to identify different species.
To attract sparrows to your backyard, provide food like seeds and insects. Install bird feeders and plant native shrubs for shelter.
Remember to also look out for other birds, like the yellow breast bird Texas is known for, the Yellow Warbler.
Read also –8 Texas Bird Yellow Belly With Their Beauty
FAQS :
Q: Are there sparrows in Texas?
Ans: Yes, there are many species of sparrows in Texas, including the House Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, and Field Sparrow.
Q: What is the most common bird in Texas?
Ans: The Northern Mockingbird is the most common bird in Texas and is also the state bird.
Q: What is the largest sparrow in the United States?
Ans: The largest sparrow in the United States is the Harris’s Sparrow.
Q: What is the most beautiful sparrow in the world?
Ans: Beauty is subjective, but the Golden-crowned Sparrow is often considered one of the most beautiful sparrows in the world.
Q: What is the most common sparrow in the world?
Ans: The House Sparrow is the most common sparrow in the world and is found in many countries.
Conclusion:
The Sparrows of Texas are a diverse and fascinating group of birds. From common species like the House Sparrow to the unique Black-throated Sparrow, these birds add beauty and song to the Texan landscape. Protecting their habitats is crucial for their survival, and birdwatchers can enjoy spotting these lovely creatures all across the state.