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Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

Bird · family Passerellidae · order Passeriformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Chipping Sparrow
Photo: Mdf , Edited by Fir0002, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
50 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
10 years[4]

The Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) is a small bird in the sparrow family Passerellidae[5]. It is ranked Secure worldwide by NatureServe and is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act[2][1].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Chipping Sparrow a global rank of G5, which means Secure[2]. In the United States it is ranked Secure for both breeding and nonbreeding birds[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. The bird is not listed as Endangered or Threatened under the Endangered Species Act[1]. It is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8]. NatureServe estimates more than 1,000,000 adults worldwide, and survey data suggest the population has been fairly steady for decades[9][10].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5B,N5N (Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[9] >1,000,000 individuals

Where Chipping Sparrow lives

NatureServe lists the Chipping Sparrow as native in 50 US states and territories, including the District of Columbia[3]. The list includes states from Alaska and Washington to Maine and Florida[3]. State ranks vary. Some states rank it Secure for breeding birds, while others use lower ranks for breeding or winter birds, such as Kansas and the District of Columbia[11]. A state list shows where NatureServe records the bird, not where you will see it.

Alaska: native, state rank S4BAKMaine: native, state rank S3N,S5BMEWisconsin: native, state rank S5BWIVermont: native, state rank S5BVTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S5BNHWashington: native, state rank S4BWAIdaho: native, state rank S5BIDMontana: native, state rank S5BMTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SNRBNDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRBMNIllinois: native, state rank S5ILMichigan: native, state rank S5MINew York: native, state rank S5BNYMassachusetts: native, state rank S5BMAOregon: native, state rank S4BORNevada: native, state rank S4BNVWyoming: native, state rank S5B,S5NWYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S5BSDIowa: native, state rank S5B,S5NIAIndiana: native, state rank S4BINOhio: native, state rank S5OHPennsylvania: native, state rank S5BPANew Jersey: native, state rank S4B,S4NNJConnecticut: native, state rank S5BCTRhode Island: native, state rank S5BRICalifornia: native, state rank SNRCAUtah: native, state rank S4BUTColorado: native, state rank S4B,S5NCONebraska: native, state rank S5NEMissouri: native, state rank SNRBMOKentucky: native, state rank S5BKYWest Virginia: native, state rank S3N,S5BWVVirginia: native, state rank S5VAMaryland: native, state rank S5B,S1NMDDelaware: native, state rank S3N,S5BDEArizona: native, state rank S5AZNew Mexico: native, state rank S4B,S5NNMKansas: native, state rank S3BKSArkansas: native, state rank S4ARTennessee: native, state rank S5TNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S5B,S5NNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S5SCDistrict of Columbia: native, state rank S3B,S4NDCOklahoma: native, state rank SNROKLouisiana: native, state rank S4LAMississippi: native, state rank S5BMSAlabama: native, state rank S5ALGeorgia: native, state rank S5GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S4B,S5NTXFlorida: native, state rank SNRNFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[11].
Show state ranks (50 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS5Secure
AlaskaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
ArizonaS5Secure
ArkansasS4Apparently Secure
CaliforniaSNRNot Ranked
ColoradoS4B,S5NApparently Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
ConnecticutS5BSecure (breeding)
DelawareS3N,S5BVulnerable (nonbreeding), Secure (breeding)
District of ColumbiaS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
FloridaSNRNNot Ranked (nonbreeding)
GeorgiaS5Secure
IdahoS5BSecure (breeding)
IllinoisS5Secure
IndianaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
IowaS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
KansasS3BVulnerable (breeding)
KentuckyS5BSecure (breeding)
LouisianaS4Apparently Secure
MaineS3N,S5BVulnerable (nonbreeding), Secure (breeding)
MarylandS5B,S1NSecure (breeding), Critically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
MassachusettsS5BSecure (breeding)
MichiganS5Secure
MinnesotaSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
MississippiS5BSecure (breeding)
MissouriSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
MontanaS5BSecure (breeding)
NebraskaS5Secure
NevadaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
New HampshireS5BSecure (breeding)
New JerseyS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New MexicoS4B,S5NApparently Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
New YorkS5BSecure (breeding)
North CarolinaS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
North DakotaSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
OhioS5Secure
OklahomaSNRNot Ranked
OregonS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
PennsylvaniaS5BSecure (breeding)
Rhode IslandS5BSecure (breeding)
South CarolinaS5Secure
South DakotaS5BSecure (breeding)
TennesseeS5Secure
TexasS4B,S5NApparently Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
UtahS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
VermontS5BSecure (breeding)
VirginiaS5Secure
WashingtonS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
West VirginiaS3N,S5BVulnerable (nonbreeding), Secure (breeding)
WisconsinS5BSecure (breeding)
WyomingS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)

Habitat

NatureServe records many habitat types for this sparrow, including forest edge, woodland, savanna, grassland, cropland and hedgerow, and suburban areas or orchards[12]. It also uses grassy fields and orchards[13]. Nests are usually in trees or shrubs, often low to the ground at 1 to 6 meters, but sometimes higher[13].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[12]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Chipping Sparrow is about 14 cm (6 in) long[14]. It eats seeds and small invertebrates, and one estimate puts its diet at 60% seeds and 40% invertebrates[15][16]. Seeds come from plants such as grasses and clover, and insects include beetles and caterpillars[17]. It feeds mostly on the ground but also in leaves and branches[17]. A clutch is 3 to 5, usually 4, and incubation takes 11 to 14 days[18]. Both parents care for the chicks, which leave the nest after 9 to 12 days[18]. The longest recorded lifespan in the wild is more than 11 years[19]. The oldest known banded bird was at least 10 years 11 months old[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[14] 14 cm (6 in)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[19] 11.8 years (wild)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 10 years 11 months
Litter or clutch size[20] 4
Gestation or incubation[21] 12 days
Female maturity[22] 365 days (about 1.0 years)
Food habits[15] Invertivore, Granivore
Migration[23] non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[16]

  • 60% seeds
  • 40% invertebrates

When to look for it

The Chipping Sparrow is active by day[24]. Some populations stay put, some move short distances, and some migrate long distances[23]. Birds that breed in Canada and the northern United States winter as far south as southern Mexico, and they return to the north in April and May[25]. On GBIF, most US records fall in April, May and June[26]. Records show when people look and report, not how many birds there are[26].

January: 213,459 recordsJanFebruary: 252,285 recordsFebMarch: 322,490 recordsMarApril: 1,302,672 recordsAprMay: 1,859,415 recordsMayJune: 1,004,183 recordsJunJuly: 731,232 recordsJulAugust: 473,896 recordsAugSeptember: 398,908 recordsSepOctober: 392,956 recordsOctNovember: 191,863 recordsNovDecember: 178,226 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[26].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January213,459
February252,285
March322,490
April1,302,672
May1,859,415
June1,004,183
July731,232
August473,896
September398,908
October392,956
November191,863
December178,226

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Chipping Sparrow as present in 242 park units[27]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 218 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Virginia[28]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Chipping Sparrow endangered?
No. It is not listed as Endangered or Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5, which means Secure[2].
Where does the Chipping Sparrow live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 50 US states and territories[3]. It uses open woodland, forest edges, grassy fields and suburban areas[12][13].
What does the Chipping Sparrow eat?
It eats seeds and small invertebrates such as insects and spiders[17][15]. One estimate is 60% seeds and 40% invertebrates[16].
How big is a Chipping Sparrow?
It is about 14 cm (6 in) long[14].
How long does a Chipping Sparrow live?
The longest recorded lifespan in the wild is more than 11 years[19]. The oldest known banded bird was at least 10 years 11 months old[4].

Facts and sources

  1. Chipping Sparrow is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Chipping Sparrow: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Chipping Sparrow as native in 50 US states and territories: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Chipping Sparrow from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 10 years 11 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) is a bird in the family Passerellidae, order Passeriformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5B,N5N (Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Chipping Sparrow is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe notes on trend for Chipping Sparrow. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe state ranks for Chipping Sparrow (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  12. Habitat types NatureServe records for Chipping Sparrow: Forest/woodland, Forest edge, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Savanna, Grassland/herbaceous, Cropland/hedgerow, Suburban/orchard. NatureServe Explorer
  13. NatureServe notes on habitat for Chipping Sparrow. NatureServe Explorer
  14. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 14 cm (6 in). NatureServe Explorer
  15. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Invertivore, Granivore. NatureServe Explorer
  16. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 60% seeds, 40% invertebrates. EltonTraits 1.0
  17. NatureServe notes on food for Chipping Sparrow. NatureServe Explorer
  18. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Chipping Sparrow. NatureServe Explorer
  19. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 11.8 years in the wild. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  20. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 4. AnAge
  21. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 12 days. AnAge
  22. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 365 days (about 1.0 years). AnAge
  23. NatureServe migration category for Chipping Sparrow: non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  24. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  25. NatureServe notes on migration for Chipping Sparrow. NatureServe Explorer
  26. GBIF observation records of Chipping Sparrow in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  27. NPSpecies park lists recording Chipping Sparrow as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  28. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Chipping Sparrow: New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Virginia. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: Mdf , Edited by Fir0002, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.