Oregon is home to a wide variety of bird species, including several species of sparrows. Sparrows are small, energetic songbirds that belong to the family Passerellidae. They are very common across North America and can be found in a range of habitats from grasslands to forests to urban areas. Some of the most common sparrow species found in Oregon include:
White-crowned Sparrow
The white-crowned sparrow is one of the most widespread sparrow species in Oregon. They breed primarily in coniferous forests across the state and are present year-round, though they are more common during spring and fall migrations. White-crowned sparrows have bold black and white stripes on their heads. Their breeding habitat consists of forests with openings and their nests are built low in trees or shrubs.
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned sparrows breed in Alaska and can be found overwintering along the Oregon coast from fall through early spring. They tend to inhabit dense, low vegetation and favor wet areas like marshes and shorelines during the winter months. These large sparrows have gray bodies, brown wings, and distinctive yellow stripes bordered with black on their crowns.
Song Sparrow
Song sparrows are year-round residents across most of Oregon. They thrive in low, dense vegetation in riparian areas, thickets, and backyards. True to their name, these sparrows have very melodic songs. They have brown streaked plumage on their upperparts and breast, with a bold dark spot in the middle of their streaked breasts. Song sparrows eat primarily seeds and insects.
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Lincoln’s sparrows breed in scrubby wet thickets across Canada and parts of Alaska. They migrate through and winter in Oregon, generally inhabiting damp, brushy areas often near streams. They have gray heads with buff-colored breasts with fine streaks, as well as a buff-colored malar stripe. Though elusive, Lincoln’s sparrows have a lovely musical song.
Fox Sparrow
The fox sparrow breeds in densely vegetated areas across Canada, Alaska, and down into the western mountains of the United States. They winter commonly in lower elevations and foothills in Oregon in similar habitat. These large sparrows have heavily streaked brown plumage, with rusty tails and gray underparts. They get their name from their bright rufous coloring.
Savannah Sparrow
Savannah sparrows breed in open grassy areas across much of Oregon. They can be found in meadows, prairies, pastures, and grassy fields. These sparrows migrate south for the winter, though some may overwinter in the mildest parts of Oregon. Savannah sparrows have pale brown upperparts with darker brown streaking. Their underparts are whitish with brown streaking concentrated around the breast.
Chipping Sparrow
Chipping sparrows are summer breeding residents throughout Oregon. They inhabit open ponderosa pine forests, parks, cemeteries, and backyards with scattered trees. These sparrows have rusty caps, gray faces, and a distinct black line running through their eyes. They get their name from their repetitive chip notes.
Dark-eyed Junco
While considered a type of junco, the dark-eyed junco is in the sparrow family. Juncos are common year-round across most of Oregon, though they are most abundant in winter when birds from farther north migrate down into the region. Dark-eyed juncos favor coniferous forests but also inhabit urban parks and backyards. They have gray heads, breasts, and backs with darker gray hoods.
Spotted Towhee
Like the junco, the spotted towhee is technically a sparrow despite its name. Spotted towhees are common breeding birds in shrubby areas across Oregon. They have black heads, reddish flanks, and white spotted wings. Their mewing breeding calls are a familiar sound in brushy habitats. They spend most of their time hopping along the ground scratching through leaf litter.
Vesper Sparrow
Vesper sparrows nest in grasslands and pastures across parts of eastern Oregon. They have plain gray-brown upperparts and white outer tail feathers that flash as they fly. Vesper sparrows have a white eye ring and a distinctive gray patch on their breasts. Their lovely songs can be heard from fence posts and other low perches on their breeding grounds.
Lark Sparrow
Lark sparrows occur primarily in eastern Oregon, where they inhabit grasslands with scattered shrubs. They have bold white and black markings on their faces and reddish-brown upperparts with white-tipped tail feathers. Male lark sparrows also have a striking black, white, and chestnut pattern on their breasts. Their melodic songs are often given in flight.
Black-chinned Sparrow
An uncommon species in Oregon, the black-chinned sparrow breeds in dry brushy areas in the southwestern part of the state. It has gray head and breast, reddish upperparts, and fine streaks on its pale belly. The male has a distinctive black chin and throat that gives this species its name.
Brewer’s Sparrow
Brewer’s sparrows breed in sagebrush habitat primarily in southeastern Oregon. They are dull, streaky birds that blend in with the dry vegetation they inhabit. Brewer’s sparrows have whitish eye rings and brown crowns that bend down over their gray faces. Their thin, buzzy songs are a regular sound in Oregon’s sagebrush steppe regions.
Sagebrush Sparrow
Closely related to the Brewer’s sparrow, the sagebrush sparrow is also found in sagebrush habitats in southeastern Oregon. They look very similar to Brewer’s sparrows but lack the distinct facial markings. Sagebrush sparrows instead have rather plain, monotone streaky brown plumage overall.
Grasshopper Sparrow
As their name suggests, grasshopper sparrows live in grasslands, favoring native bunchgrass prairies in Oregon. They are inconspicuous birds that skulk low in the grass. Grasshopper sparrows have light brown and gray streaked plumage and a distinctive flat head profile. Their primary song is an insect-like buzz.
House Sparrow
While not native to North America, the house sparrow was introduced from Europe and is now abundant across Oregon, especially in human-modified environments. Males have gray crowns, black bibs and white cheeks. Females are streaked brown and gray overall. House sparrows are very social and commonly nest on man-made structures.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Even less common than the house sparrow, the Eurasian tree sparrow is another introduced species from Europe that has a small foothold in Oregon. It looks similar to the house sparrow but has a chestnut brown crown and black cheek spot. Eurasian tree sparrows occur in urban and agricultural areas in the northwestern part of the state.
Migration and Wintering
Many sparrow species breed in Oregon during the summer months then migrate south to warmer climates for the winter. Conversely, Oregon hosts wintering sparrow species that breed further north during the summer before migrating down into the region to overwinter. The white-crowned sparrow and golden-crowned sparrow are examples of species that breed elsewhere but winter in Oregon.
The coast of Oregon provides important stopover habitat for sparrows and other migrating landbirds during migration. Sparrows setting out across the Pacific Ocean from Alaska need places along the coast like lighthouses, shrubby hillsides, and wetlands to rest and refuel during their long journeys.
Habitat
Sparrows occupy a wide range of habitats across Oregon. Grassland species like the Savannah sparrow and grasshopper sparrow inhabit open grassy areas like prairies and meadows. Shrubland species such as the song sparrow and spotted towhee thrive in denser shrubby growth. And forest-dwelling sparrows like the white-crowned sparrow and fox sparrow occupy mature open woodlands.
Backyard feeders and urban parks attract species like the dark-eyed junco during the winter. And agricultural areas support introduced sparrows like the Eurasian tree sparrow and house sparrow year-round.
Habitat Threats
Loss of natural habitats like prairies, sagebrush steppe, and old conifer forests negatively impacts many sparrow species in Oregon. For example, Brewer’s sparrows rely on intact sagebrush habitat found primarily in southeastern Oregon. Ongoing sagebrush habitat loss to fire, invasive species, and development threatens this species.
Diet
Sparrows are primarily seed eaters, consuming a wide variety of small seeds of grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees. They supplement this diet with fruits, buds, and small insects, especially during breeding season when extra protein is needed to raise young.
Species like the song sparrow and fox sparrow scratch through leaf litter searching for seeds on the ground. And house sparrows commonly seek out food scraps in backyard feeders or urban environments.
Behavior
Sparrows are active, social birds that travel in loose flocks, especially during migration and winter. Flocks break up during the breeding season when pairs establish nesting territories. Most species walk or hop along the ground while foraging instead of hopping like finches.
Sparrows have distinct songs and calls used to communicate with mates and defend territories. For example, the song sparrow produces complex melodic songs. And the chipping sparrow makes its namesake repetitive “chip” call notes.
Breeding
Sparrows build cup-shaped nests low in shrubs, grass tufts, or trees depending on the species. The female lays between 2-6 eggs which she incubates for roughly 2 weeks while the male provides food. Both parents feed the helpless chicks a diet of insects and seeds. Young fledge the nest in around 2 weeks but may still be fed by parents for a period after leaving the nest.
Some sparrow species like the dark-eyed junco have helped scientists understand songbird breeding strategies and genetics because they are common species that are easy to study across their widespread ranges.
Conservation Status
Most sparrow species in Oregon are doing well overall and have stable or growing populations. A few species like the sagebrush sparrow are recognized as sensitive in the state due to small populations, limited ranges, or habitat threats like the loss of sagebrush ecosystems.
Backyard birdwatchers can help support sparrows by planting native vegetation, reducing pesticide use, keeping cats indoors, and participating in citizen science surveying and monitoring programs.
Interesting Facts
- Oregon recognizes the song sparrow as its official state bird.
- The Eurasian tree sparrow was first introduced to the Portland area around 1920 and has slowly colonized other parts of the state.
- Sparrows get their name from being very active or “stirring” birds.
- The golden-crowned sparrow breeds in Alaska and migrates all the way to Oregon’s coast for the winter, a round trip of over 3,000 miles.
- Sparrows have short, triangular bills adapted for cracking and hulling small seeds.
- The fox sparrow is one of the largest sparrow species, nearly 7 inches long.
- The savannah sparrow often breeds in small colonies with loose nesting aggregations.
- Sparrows will sometimes interbreed where their ranges overlap, resulting in hybrid birds with mixed traits.
Conclusion
Oregon provides excellent habitat for a diverse array of over a dozen sparrow species. These small energetic songbirds thrive in the state’s varied ecosystems from high elevation conifer forests to arid shrublands to backyard feeders. Sparrows fill an important niche as abundant seed-eating birds across Oregon’s landscapes. Protecting their preferred habitats and reducing threats ensures these popular birds continue brightening backyards and beyond across the state for generations to come.
