What are the little brown birds in NYC called?

The most common little brown birds seen in New York City are the House Sparrow and the Song Sparrow. These small brown birds are year-round residents in the city and can be spotted in parks, yards, and streetscapes.

Identifying the House Sparrow

The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is one of the most widely distributed birds in the world. It is a small brown bird with streaks on its back and a gray cap and cheeks. The male has a distinctive black bib and white cheeks. House Sparrows measure between 5.9 and 6.7 inches in length and weigh around 1 ounce. They have short conical bills that are perfect for eating seeds.

You can identify the House Sparrow by its size and coloration. Look for these key features:

• Small and plump
• Brown feathers with black streaks
• Gray cap and cheeks
• Distinctive black bib (males)
• Short conical beak

House Sparrows are very social and active birds. They live in large flocks and keep up a constant stream of chirping as they hop along the ground pecking for food. You’ll often see them perched on wires or flanking the edges of buildings.

Habits and Habitat

House Sparrows thrive in areas populated by humans. They nest in cavities in buildings and feed on discarded food waste. House Sparrows were originally introduced to New York City in the mid-1800s and have adapted extremely well to urban living.

You can find House Sparrows year-round in the following habitats:

• Backyards
• Bird feeders
• Gardens
• City parks
• Roofs and ledges of buildings

House Sparrows build messy nests out of straw, grass, paper, and feathers in cavities or sheltered spots. They breed from March to August, with females laying clutches of 4-6 eggs. Both parents feed the young.

Diet

House Sparrows are omnivores and highly opportunistic feeders. Their diet includes:

• Grains
• Seeds
• Fruit
• Household scraps
• Insects

In urban areas like NYC, House Sparrows scavenge for food waste around restaurants, delis, and food carts. They also feast on bird seed from backyard feeders.

Identifying the Song Sparrow

The Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) is another small brown bird commonly seen in New York. Smaller than a House Sparrow, the Song Sparrow has a more rounded head and a long rounded tail.

Look for these key features to identify a Song Sparrow:

• Rufous brown upperparts with dark streaks
• White belly with dark streaks
• Round head
• Long rounded tail
• Small conical beak

Song Sparrows are shy, secretive birds that spend much of their time hidden in bushes or shrubs. Listen for their lovely song, which consists of melodic notes followed by a buzzy trill.

Habits and Habitat

Song Sparrows prefer brushy, wet environments. In New York City, look for them in parks, gardens, and natural areas along streams or ponds. Ideal habitat includes:

• Marshes
• Overgrown fields
• Backyard thickets
• Pond edges
• Forest edges

Song Sparrows build well-concealed nests low in shrubs, grass tussocks, or vines. Breeding occurs from April to August. The female lays 3-5 eggs per clutch and often raises 2-3 broods per season.

Diet

Song Sparrows are omnivores that feed on a combination of:

• Insects
• Spiders
• Seeds
• Fruit
• Grains

They hop along the ground scratching through leaf litter to uncover food. Song Sparrows also visit backyard feeders for seeds and suet.

Differences Between House and Song Sparrows

Although they are both small brown birds, House and Song Sparrows have some notable differences. This comparison table summarizes the main identification features:

In terms of behavior, House Sparrows are highly social and live in large flocks. Song Sparrows are more solitary and secretive. House Sparrows are open habitat birds, while Song Sparrows prefer hiding in dense shrubs and bushes.

Other Small Brown Birds in NYC

While House and Song are the most common, here are a few other small brown birds you may spot in New York City:

White-Throated Sparrow

The White-Throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) is a migratory species that winters in New York before returning north to breed. They have tan and reddish brown streaking, white throats, and yellow spots above the eyes.

Field Sparrow

The Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) prefers overgrown fields and hedgerows and has a reddish cap and unstreaked gray breast. It is most common during migration periods.

Chipping Sparrow

The Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) has a rusty cap, black line through the eye, and bright white supercilium. It summers in woodlands and winters in urban parks and gardens.

Dark-Eyed Junco

The Dark-Eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) has dark gray above, pale below, and conspicuous white outer tail feathers that flash when it flies. It breeds in northern forests and winters in the NYC area.

Attracting Small Brown Birds to Your Yard

You can attract beautiful small brown birds like sparrows to your yard in New York City by following some simple tips:

• Provide bird feeders stocked with millet, sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and suet.
• Add a birdbath for drinking and bathing.
• Plant native shrubs and bushes that offer cover and places to nest.
• Leave leaf litter and brush piles untouched.
• Let areas of the yard grow wild with grasses and thickets.

A yard that combines feeders, water sources, spots for shelter, and native plants will become an oasis for sparrows and other small brown birds passing through the urban jungle.

Enjoying Small Brown Birds in NYC

When most people think of iconic New York City birds, large and flashy species like pigeons come to mind first. But our smaller brown birds deserve appreciation too! House and Song Sparrows thrive in urban habitats that deter many other species. Watching these active, social, and vocal birds hop around a city park or busy themselves at backyard feeders provides a peaceful connection to nature amidst the hustle and bustle.