Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
Fox Sparrow
Bruant fauve
Passerella iliaca
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
There are at least four types of sub-species of the Fox Sparrow. This large sparrow is seen throughout all the northern forests in North America. The Fox Sparrow (red) is the most common and widespread and it is seen from Alaska to Newfoundland and Labrador. The Fox Sparrow (large-billed) is seen in the western Rocky Mountains, from the US/Canadian borders right into central mountains of California. The Fox Sparrow (slate-colored) can be found in the same areas, but reaching out into Colorado. The Fox Sparrow (sooty) is seen from Alaska, south through the western regions of Canadian Rocky Mountains, right into Oregon.
North American Bird Calls
- Click to hear Choice 1
- Click to hear Choice 2
- Summer
- Year Around
- Winter
The Fox Sparrow is a shy bird, and most times, it is very difficult to find. In breeding season, it will perch on the top of conifers, where it will sing throughout the day. These sparrows feed on the ground. They will be seen scratching and turning over the forest floor, much like a farmyard chicken, in search of insects and grubs. These sparrows return early to their breeding territories in the spring and will only leave these areas in late fall.
References to Other Bird Sites:
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.
