Field Sparrow Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesField Sparrow
Adult
Small, slender sparrow with a pink conical bill and a rounded head. Gray-faced with a distinct white eyering and a rusty crown and eyeline.
© Ryan Sanderson / Macaulay LibraryIndiana, June 07, 2020Adult
The pink conical bill, white eyering, and rusty crown and eyeline are distinctive field marks. Some individuals like this one have rusty-colored chests.
© Chris Thomas / Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, June 04, 2017Adult
Sings a loud, accelerating song from exposed perches that sounds like a bouncing ball.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, June 05, 2011Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Juveniles lack the bright rusty crown and eyeline of adults, but note white eyering and pinkish bill. Juveniles also have streaking on the chest and sides.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, August 29, 2012Adult
Gray overall with a pink conical bill, a rusty cap and eyeline, and a white eyering.
© David M. Bell / Macaulay LibraryOntario, April 29, 2013Adult
Eats small seeds especially during the colder months when fewer insects are available.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryOctober 01, 1997Not all videos have sound
Adult
Round-headed sparrow with a rusty cap, pink bill, and white eyering. Note rusty streaking down the back and an unstreaked grayish belly.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, November 27, 2014Juvenile
Juveniles have streaked breasts unlike adults, but still have a pink bill and a faint eyering.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryJuly 18, 1997Not all videos have sound
Adult
Found in areas of tall grass and brush that are growing up into small trees and shrubs, particularly thorny shrubs such as roses and briars. Sings a loud, accelerating song from exposed perches.
© Paul Galvin / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, June 22, 2017Similar SpeciesAmerican Tree Sparrow
Adult
American Tree Sparrows have a black-and-yellow bill, instead of a pink bill and don't have as strong of a white eyering like Field Sparrows. They only occur in United States during the winter months.
© Paul Tavares / Macaulay LibraryOntario, March 08, 2011Similar SpeciesChipping Sparrow
Breeding adult
The head pattern on Chipping Sparrows is more striking than Field Sparrow’s, with a long whitish stripe above the eye and a crisp black line through the eye.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, May 04, 2015Similar SpeciesChipping Sparrow
Nonbreeding
Nonbreeding Chipping Sparrow's head pattern is more striking than Field Sparrow’s, with a long buffy stripe above the eye and a brown line through the eye without the eyering seen on Field Sparrows.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 15, 2007Similar SpeciesSwamp Sparrow
Adult
Swamp Sparrows lack the Field Sparrow’s white eyering and pink bill. Swamp Sparrows have obvious reddish-brown highlights in the wings and the underparts are a colder, grayer tone than Field Sparrows.
© Keenan Yakola / Macaulay LibraryMaine, May 07, 2015Similar SpeciesWhite-crowned Sparrow
Immature
Immature White-crowned Sparrows are larger than Field Sparrows with mostly gray underparts and more obvious white wingbars. They have a dark eyeline and lack the Field Sparrow's white eyering.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, November 05, 2011Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
Compare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Species in This Family
New World Sparrows(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Passerellidae)
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.