10 Types of Sparrows in Ohio (ID Guide With Pictures)
“Sparrows in Ohio” are like the main singers in Ohio’s nature concert. I’ve seen these small, chirpy birds everywhere, from busy parks to quiet marshes. They do more than just fly; their music is a big part of what makes Ohio special. We’re going to learn about their secret lives, from the Song Sparrow’s beautiful music to the shy LeConte’s Sparrow. Let’s discover together how these birds can live in so many different places!
Here we’ll learn about 10 different types of Sparrows in Ohio
1. Song Sparrow
- Scientific name: Melospiza melodia
- Life span: 2-7 years
- Size: 5.5-7 in
- Weight: 0.8-1.4 oz
- Wingspan: 9.1-9.8 in
- Status: Least Concern
- Can be seen: All-year specie
The Song Sparrow is a common bird in North America and it’s known for its beautiful singing. It has brown and chestnut colors in its feathers. Also, This bird loves to sit on branches and sing, and each one has its special song. Also, Song Sparrows make their nests on the ground or in bushes, using grass and leaves to make them comfy for their babies.
Moreover, these birds eat lots of different things like bugs, seeds, and berries. They look for food by digging in leaves and dirt. However, because people build more buildings and farms, Song Sparrows sometimes lose their homes. So, people are trying to save the places where these birds live, like wetlands and grassy areas.
2. House Sparrow
- Scientific name: Passer domesticus
- Life span: 3-5 years
- Size: 5.5-6.3 in
- Weight: 1.1-1.4 oz
- Wingspan: 7.9-9.1 in
- Status: Least Concern
- Can be seen: All-year specie
House Sparrows, from Europe, are now common in North America’s cities. They have colorful feathers and live near people, making nests in buildings and singing together in groups.
They love to take dust baths and build messy nests in many places. They eat seeds, grains, and sometimes insects or leftovers. These birds do well in cities, but they can be tough on local birds because they compete for places to live.
3. Swamp Sparrow
- Scientific name: Melospiza georgiana
- Life span: 2-4 years
- Size: 5.5-6.3 in
- Weight: 0.7-1.2
- Wingspan: 8.7-9.1 in
- Status: Least Concern
- Can be seen: All-year specie
Swamp Sparrows are shy birds that live in wet places like marshes in North America. They have brown feathers with a bit of red and cream. They’re good at moving through thick plants without being seen. They make a quiet “tic” sound, like small stones hitting the water.
These sparrows build their nests close to the ground, using plants to hide them. They eat many things, like bugs, seeds, and tiny water creatures. They’re great at finding food near water.
But their homes in the wetlands are in danger because of the things people do. So, there are efforts to save these areas to help Swamp Sparrows and other wildlife.
4. Dark-eyed Junco
- Scientific name: Junco hyemalis
- Life span: 3-7 years
- Size: 5.5-6.3 in
- Weight: 0.7-1.1 oz
- Wingspan: 7.5-9.8 in
- Status: Least Concern
- Can be seen: Wintering specie
Dark-eyed Juncos are cute birds that live all over North America. They have grey and white feathers and a little bit of pink on their beaks. They make a happy “tinkling” sound and love to hop around together.
They’re good at finding seeds by scratching the ground. They build their nests on the ground, hidden under bushes or logs, and use grass and leaves to make them cozy.
These birds eat seeds, bugs, and tiny creatures. They do well in many places and there are lots of them. People are working to keep the forests and woods safe for them to live in.
5. White-throated Sparrow
- Scientific name: Zonotrichia albicollis
- Life span: 5-10 years
- Size: 6.3-7.5 in
- Weight: 0.9-1.3 oz
- Wingspan: 8.7-9.8 in
- Status: Least Concern
- Can be seen: Wintering specie
White-throated Sparrows in Ohio are pretty birds that live in many places in North America. They have black and white feathers with a bit of yellow near their eyes and a white spot on their throat. They sing different songs depending on where they live.
They build their nests on the ground, hidden under plants. They eat seeds, berries, bugs, and even tiny snails. They look for food by scratching the ground and pecking at plants.
These sparrows can live in many places, like woods and gardens, and there are a lot of them. People are trying to keep their homes safe so we can enjoy these birds for a long time.
6. American Tree Sparrow
- Scientific name: Spizelloides arborea
- Life span: 2-6 years
- Size: 5.9 in / 15 cm
- Weight: 0.6-1.0 oz
- Wingspan: 7.9-9.1 in
- Status: Least Concern
- Can be seen: Wintering specie
American Tree Sparrows are cool winter birds that come down from the Arctic to hang out in North America’s woods and bushes. They have a reddish hat a
Even though they’re called “tree” sparrows, they like to eat on the ground. They build nests out of grass and stuff, hiding them well.
They mostly eat seeds but will snack on bugs and berries too. Also, These birds fly to Ohio when it’s cold, and people are working to keep their winter homes safe.
7. Chipping Sparrow
Chipping Sparrows in Ohio are lively little birds that you can find in many places in North America, like woods and gardens. They’re known for their happy songs and brown feathers with a rusty red cap. They’re good at building nests using all sorts of things, even pieces of plastic!
Also, They make their homes in trees or bushes, making sure their nests are just right for their babies. Chipping Sparrows eat lots of different things, from bugs to seeds and berries, and they’re pretty good at finding food.
There are plenty of these sparrows around, and they’re doing okay. People are trying to make sure they have good places to live and enough food by taking care of nature.
8. Eastern Towhee
- Scientific name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
- Life span: 6-9 years
- Size: 7.1-9.1 in
- Weight: 1.1-1.8 oz
- Wingspan: 9.8-11.8 in
- Status: Least Concern
- Can be seen: Summer specie
The Eastern Towhee, a charismatic inhabitant of the eastern United States, delights with its striking appearance and vibrant personality. Found in shrubby habitats and forest edges, these bold sparrows make their presence known with their unmistakable “drink-your-tea” call.
Their plumage showcases a striking contrast of black on their back and head, complemented by rich rufous sides and a vibrant white belly. With their vigorous scratching and hopping, they forage for hidden treasures beneath fallen leaves.
Here’s an interesting fact: Eastern Towhees have been known to engage in “anting,” a behavior where they deliberately pick up ants and rub them on their feathers, possibly using the ants’ secretions to deter parasites.
Eastern Towhees build their nests on or near the ground, hidden within dense vegetation or shrubs. They create a well-concealed structure using twigs, leaves, and rootlets, providing a secure haven for their eggs and hatchlings.
This species has an omnivorous diet, feeding on insects, spiders, seeds, fruits, and occasionally small reptiles or amphibians. They use their strong beaks to scratch and probe the ground for food.
They are abundant and widespread in Ohio. Their populations have remained stable, but habitat loss and fragmentation pose potential threats. Conservation efforts focus on preserving and restoring suitable shrubby habitats, which are crucial for their nesting and foraging activities.
9. Field Sparrow
- Scientific name: Spizella pusilla
- Life span: 4-6 years
- Size: 4.7-5.5 in
- Weight: 0.4-0.6 oz
- Wingspan: 7.5-8.7 in
- Status: Least Concern
- Can be seen: Summer specie
Field Sparrows are small, pretty birds that live in North America’s grassy areas. They sing beautifully and have brown and white feathers with a special white ring around their eyes. They jump around gracefully and look very elegant.
They make unique nests that look like cups with a special “parasol” of grass on top to keep them cool. They hide their nests in thick plants.
Also, These sparrows eat seeds from grass, weeds, and flowers, and they also eat bugs and spiders. They need lots of good food when they have babies.
Sadly, there are fewer Field Sparrows now because their grassland homes are going away. People are trying to save these places by taking care of the land and growing the right kinds of plants.
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10. Savannah Sparrow
- Scientific name: Passerculus sandwichensis
- Life span: 3-7 years
- Size: 5.5-6.7 in
- Weight: 0.5-0.9 oz
- Wingspan: 7.9-9.4 in
- Status: Least Concern
- Can be seen: Summer specie
Savannah Sparrows are pretty birds with brown and grey feathers that blend into the grasslands of North America. They sing a mix of trills and buzzes that can be heard far away.
These sparrows are travelers, flying thousands of miles sometimes. They build nests on the ground, hidden in the grass, using grass and stems to make a cup shape.
They eat seeds, bugs, spiders, and tiny creatures, searching the ground with their sharp beaks. In Ohio, these birds are common, but they need grasslands to live and find food, so people are working to protect these areas for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What kind of Sparrows live in Ohio?
Sparrow species in Ohio include House Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, Field Sparrows, and White-throated Sparrows, among others.
Q2. Are House Sparrows invasive in Ohio?
Yes, House Sparrows are considered invasive in Ohio due to their aggressive behavior and competition with native bird species.
Q3. How can you tell a sparrow from a finch?
Sparrows typically have streaked or plain brown plumage with conical bills, while finches have brighter plumage, pronounced markings, and thicker, seed-cracking bills.
Q4. What is the most common bird in Ohio?
The Northern Cardinal is often considered the most common bird in Ohio, along with American Robins, Mourning Doves, House Sparrows, and various blackbird and finch species.
