Fox Sparrows are medium-sized sparrows that breed in Canada and the northern United States. They migrate south for the winter into the southern and eastern United States. Here are some quick facts about where to find Fox Sparrows:
Breeding Range
Fox Sparrows breed in forested areas across Canada, Alaska, and the northern United States including:
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Ontario
- Quebec
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- New Brunswick
- Maine
- Vermont
- New Hampshire
- New York
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- Washington
- Oregon
- Idaho
- Montana
- North Dakota
- Alaska
They typically nest on the ground in thickets or dense shrubs. The breeding season is from May to July.
Wintering Range
Fox Sparrows winter in the southern and eastern United States, Mexico, and Central America including:
- California
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Texas
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Florida
- South Carolina
- North Carolina
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Maryland
- Delaware
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- New York
- Connecticut
- Rhode Island
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Maine
- Ohio
- Indiana
- Illinois
- Missouri
- Kansas
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- Tennessee
- Kentucky
- Iowa
- Wisconsin
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- South Dakota
- North Dakota
- Mexico
- Central America
They prefer brushy fields, forest edges, and thickets during winter. The wintering period is from October to March.
Migration Route
Fox Sparrows follow looping migration routes across North America. Here are some key things to know about their migration:
- West coast birds migrate south through California and into Mexico and Central America for winter.
- Inland western birds migrate south and east into the southern and eastern United States for winter.
- Midwestern and eastern birds migrate south into the southern and eastern United States for winter.
- Spring migration follows the same pathways in reverse as they return to breeding grounds.
- Migration occurs from March to May in spring and September to November in fall.
Fox Sparrows prefer brushy habitat with thick cover during migration. Look for them along forest edges, hedgerows, and thickets.
Identification Tips
Here are some tips for identifying Fox Sparrows:
- Size: 6.5-7 inches long with a wingspan of 10-11 inches
- Coloring: Reddish brown upperparts, gray face and breast, boldly streaked underparts
- Beak: Short, thick, conical beak that is yellow with a dark tip
- Legs/feet: Pinkish legs and toes
- Tail: Long, rounded tail with brownish-gray central feathers and rufous outer feathers that flash as they fly
- Song: A series of clear whistled notes
Fox Sparrows scratch in leaf litter on forest floors searching for food. Listen and watch for them kicking backwards and scattering leaves.
Habitat
Here are some of the key habitats to search in:
- Breeding: Coniferous or mixed forests with dense understory for nesting
- Wintering: Thickets, brushy fields, forest edges
- Migration: Hedgerows, forest edges, thickets with cover
When and Where to Look
The best times and places to find Fox Sparrows include:
- Breeding grounds: May – July in northern forests
- Wintering grounds: October – March in southern brushy areas
- Migration: March – May and September – November in transitional habitats
- Dawn/dusk: Most active at dawn and dusk
- Feeders: Sometimes visit feeders for seeds
Conservation Status
The Fox Sparrow has a large population and range, and is not considered globally threatened. However, some specific subspecies have experienced population declines, likely due to habitat loss on both their breeding and wintering grounds. Overall conservation priorities include:
- Protecting breeding habitat in northern forests
- Preserving migration stopover sites
- Safeguarding wintering grounds in southern brushy areas
Individuals can help by providing thickets and native plantings, limiting pesticide use, and keeping cats indoors. Monitoring population trends is also important to detect any emerging conservation issues.
Conclusion
In summary, Fox Sparrows can be found breeding in forests across Canada and the northern United States in summer. They migrate south through transitional habitats and overwinter in brushy fields and thickets across the southern and eastern U.S. Listen for their distinctive song and watch for their rusty reddish tails flashing as they scratch through leaf litter. Provide thickets and native plants to support populations on both their breeding and wintering grounds.