What is a sparrow sized green bird?

When it comes to identifying small green birds the size of a sparrow, there are a few likely options that come to mind. Sparrow-sized green birds are found across North America, often in backyard settings. With a bit of knowledge about the most common species, their size, coloration, and behavior, you can identify the green bird visiting your yard.

Green Parakeets

One of the most well-known small green birds is the green parakeet. There are several species of parakeets with green plumage that are about the size of a sparrow. Some examples include:

• Budgerigars (also known as budgies or parakeets)
• Green-rumped parrotlets
• Pacific parrotlets

These parakeets are small, ranging from about 5-8 inches in length. Their predominantly green plumage helps them blend into foliage. Most species also have some yellow, blue, or other colors mixed in their feathers.

Parakeets are found in the wild mainly in Central and South America. However, feral budgerigar populations exist in places like Florida and California where pet birds escaped or were released. So you may catch a glimpse of these small green parakeets flying around your neighborhood.

Green-backed Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are tiny birds with high metabolisms and the ability to hover mid-air. Their small size and bright plumage make them a joy to watch. There are several species of North American hummingbirds that have green backs or feathers on their backs, including:

• Ruby-throated hummingbird
• Black-chinned hummingbird
• Anna’s hummingbird
• Costa’s hummingbird
• Rufous hummingbird

These hummingbirds range from about 3-4 inches in length. When perched, the green color of their backs can be striking. When they fly, the rapid flutter of their wings makes them a blur of color.

Depending on your geographic location and the season, you may spot one of these green-backed hummers visiting feeders or flowers in your garden. Providing nectar feeders, plants, and a water source can help attract them.

Green Warblers

The warbler family contains many small songbirds with colorful plumage. There are several species of warblers that have olive-green feathers on their backs, wings, and tails that could potentially fit the description of a sparrow-sized green bird.

Some examples include:

• Palm warbler
• Pine warbler
• Yellow-rumped warbler
• Yellow warbler
• Common yellowthroat

These warblers range in size from 4-5.5 inches in length. Their olive-green upperparts provide camouflage in trees and vegetation. They also tend to have yellow or white undersides and facial markings. Their behaviors include actively foraging for insects among branches and leaves.

Warblers can be hard to spot due to their small size. But listening for their songs can help birdwatchers locate them. Providing natural sources of insects, berries, and cover can attract warblers passing through your area during migration.

Parrots

Parrots are highly intelligent, colorful birds that originate from warm environments. While parrots are not native to North America, some species have become established in the wild in areas like Florida, Texas, and California.

Some small green parrot species around the size of a sparrow include:

• Monk parakeets
• Green-cheeked parakeets

Feral monk parakeet populations live across the southern United States after escaping from the pet trade. These birds build large, communal nests out of sticks and other materials. Green-cheeked parakeets are also kept as pets, although stable wild populations don’t exist in North America yet.

If you live in certain southern states and spot a loud, bright green parrot flying by, chances are it is a monk or green-cheeked parakeet.

Native Sparrows

While most North American sparrows are streaky brown, some species do have green-tinted feathers. Two sparrows around the same size as other sparrows that may appear somewhat green include:

• Chipping sparrow
• Grasshopper sparrow

The chipping sparrow is a very common backyard bird found throughout North America. These sparrows are about 4.5-5.5 inches in length. Their wings and back feathers have an olive-green tint when seen in bright light. The breast is speckled brown and the crown is rusty red.

Grasshopper sparrows get their name from their favorite grassland habitat. Their upperparts are brown with streaks of yellow-green. Their undersides are buff with a dark breast spot. They measure about 4.5-5.5 inches in length.

While not bright green overall, both these species do have some greenish hues to their plumage. So in the right lighting conditions, they may appear briefly greenish in color as they flit among vegetation.

Exotic Escapes

Not all small green birds seen backyards are native species. Sometimes, pet birds escape or get released and end up flying free in neighborhoods.

Some examples of exotic pet birds originally from other parts of the world that may survive outdoors in certain climates include:

• Budgerigars
• Quaker or Monk parakeets
• Green-cheeked parakeets
• Canary-winged parakeets
• Pacific parrotlets

These birds are all parrot relatives that measure about 5-8 inches in length. Their green plumage helps them blend into trees and bushes when they escape captivity.

When identifying an unknown green bird, it helps to be familiar with native species as well as escaped exotics that live in the area. Learning their typical behaviors can also aid identification.

Identifying the Green Bird

When trying to identify a small green backyard bird, consider the following points:

• Size – Note whether the bird is sparrow-sized, hummingbird-sized, or parakeet-sized
• Shape – Look for key features like long tails, short stubby beaks, curved bills, crests, etc.
• Color pattern – Pay attention to any stripes, spots, patches or accents of color besides green
• Behavior – Note behaviors like perching, clinging to feeders, hovering to feed on flowers, flocking, etc.
• Location – Consider which green bird species are common year-round or seasonal in your area
• Sounds – Listen for any chips, tweets, trills, or calls

It also helps to have a bird field guide handy or bird identification app that provides photos, recordings, and tips on finding key identification marks. Being patient and observing the bird closely while jotting down notes can help pinpoint which species it is.

If you can snap a photo, even a blurry one, it can help ruling certain birds in or out when identifying later. Observing the unknown green bird visit over a period of days while deliberately providing food and habitat can provide more clues to help determine what it is.

Conclusion

Identifying backyard birds takes practice, patience, and knowledge of the species likely to be encountered. When it comes to determining what a small green songbird the size of a sparrow may be, the possibilities include parakeets, hummingbirds, warblers, sparrows themselves, and escaped exotics.

Noting key identification points like size, shape, color patterns, behavior, sounds, location, and seasonality provides clues to narrow down which green bird is flitting through your yard. Resources like field guides and bird apps can aid identification of species. Providing food, water and shelter can help draw in an unknown green bird for closer observation.

With a curious and thoughtful approach, the small green-feathered visitor’s true identity can be uncovered. The enjoyment and wonder of hosting songbirds in the backyard makes solving their mysteries a rewarding endeavor.

Bird Identification Table