Chipping Sparrow

1/640s at f8.0, ISO:400, Canon Mark III 1Ds w/800mm, 1.4x converter


The Chipping Sparrow is widespread, fairly tame, and common across most of its North American range. In eastern North America, Chipping Sparrows breed in woodlands, farmlands, and suburban and urban districts. In western North America, the Chipping Sparrow prefers conifer forests for breeding. The Chipping Sparrow is partially migratory, with almost all mid-latitude and high-latitude breeders withdrawing in winter to the southern United States and Mexico. Throughout the year, Chipping Sparrows forage on the ground, often in loose flocks. Their diet consists mainly of seeds and crumbs of mostly any food, especially those fallen on the ground. Chipping Sparrows frequently forage directly from forbs and grasses, too. At any time of the year, especially, in spring, Chipping Sparrows may be seen in trees, even up in the canopy, where they forage on fresh buds and glean for arboreal arthropods. The nest is an open cup. Clutch size is 4; incubation takes 11 to 14 days and days to fledge 8 to 12 days.
Pawnee National Grassland, Co
 
05/03/2010