Identifying brown birds can sometimes pose a challenge, as their less vibrant counterparts lack distinctive features. However, fear not! This comprehensive guide aims to assist you in discerning between a sparrow and a wren.
This guide is designed to aid you in identifying the brown avian visitors to your backyard, as well as those dwelling in woods and fields. It draws upon the 33 most frequently encountered bird species in the United States and Canada.
These bird species are arranged in order of their prevalence, based on checklists submitted by avid bird watchers on Ebird.
33 Brown Birds in North America
1. Mourning Dove
Mourning Doves possess an elegant demeanor, characterized by small heads, plump bodies, and long tails. Their soft brown feathers are adorned with black wing spots. Males generally outweigh their female counterparts.
- Size: 9.1-13.4 in (23-34 cm)
- Weight: 3.0-6.0 oz (96-170 g)
- Wingspan: 17.7 in (45 cm)
Mourning Doves are year-round residents throughout the contiguous United States, although they may migrate from northern regions after the breeding season.
These doves can be observed perched on telephone wires or foraging for seeds on the ground in grasslands, fields, and even backyard spaces. They are also known to frequent open areas and woodland edges.
To attract more Mourning Doves to your backyard, consider scattering millet on the ground or on platform feeders. They also relish black sunflower seeds, nyjer, cracked corn, and peanut hearts.
2. American Robin
When it comes to identifying American Robins, their presence on lawns while feasting on earthworms is a common sight. These birds boast black heads and backs, along with red or orange breasts. During winter, they tend to roost in trees, making backyard sightings more prevalent during spring.
- Size: 7.9-11.0 in (20-28 cm)
- Weight: 2.7-3.0 oz (77-85 g)
- Wingspan: 12.2-15.8 in (31-40 cm)
American Robins are year-round residents in the contiguous United States, as well as the western coastal areas of Canada and Alaska. Those breeding in Canada and inland Alaska migrate southward for the winter.
These robins can be found in diverse habitats, ranging from woodlands, forests, and mountains to fields, parks, and lawns. Their diet comprises earthworms, insects, snails, and fruit.
To attract more American Robins to your yard, provide sunflower seeds, suet, peanut hearts, fruit, and mealworms. Opt for platform feeders or scatter food on the ground. Additionally, consider planting native berry-producing plants such as juniper, sumac, hawthorn, and dogwood.
3. Song Sparrow
Song Sparrows may not possess the same striking attributes as other backyard birds, but their small, brown-streaked bodies employ a nearly constant melody to attract mates during the spring and summer seasons.
- Size: 4.7-6.7 in (12-17 cm)
- Weight: 0.4-1.9 oz (12-53 g)
- Wingspan: 7.1-9.4 in (18-24 cm)
Song Sparrows are year-round residents across the northern United States, with some individuals breeding in Canada and migrating to southern states.
These sparrows inhabit open, shrubby, and wet areas, often perching on low shrubs while singing their melodic tunes. They can frequently be spotted at backyard feeders.
Song Sparrows consume a diverse diet of insects and plants, including beetles, caterpillars, midges, spiders, and earthworms. They also indulge in buckwheat, sunflower seeds, raspberries, wild cherries, blackberries, wheat, and rice.
To attract more song sparrows to your backyard feeders, offer black oil sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and nyjer in platform feeders.
4. Female House Finch
While male House Finches exhibit red heads and breasts, their female counterparts are characterized by brown-streaked plumage.
- Size: 5.1-5.5 in (13-14 cm)
- Weight: 0.6-0.9 oz (16-27 g)
- Wingspan: 7.9-9.8 in (20-25 cm)
Originally limited to western states, House Finches have been introduced to the eastern regions and have thrived, often outcompeting Purple Finches.
These finches can be found in parks, farms, forest edges, and backyard feeders. They tend to gather in noisy groups, making them difficult to overlook.
To attract more House Finches to your backyard feeders, provide black oil sunflower seeds or nyjer seeds in tube or platform feeders.
5. Northern Flicker
Northern Flickers are sizable woodpeckers, falling between the size of a robin and a crow. They exhibit brownish plumage adorned with black spots, bars, and crescents, as well as red on the nape. Eastern birds feature bright yellow undersides on their tail and wing feathers, while western birds showcase red hues.
- Size: 11.0-12.2 in (28-31 cm)
- Weight: 3.9-5.6 oz (110-160 g)
- Wingspan: 16.5-20.1 in (42-51 cm)
These woodpeckers can be found on the ground, foraging for ants and beetles in woodlands or along forest edges. While some individuals breeding in Canada or Alaska migrate to southern states, others can be observed year-round in the lower 48 states.
To attract more Northern Flickers to your backyard feeders, provide suet and black oil sunflower seeds.
6. Carolina Wren
Carolina Wrens are rather elusive birds, featuring dark brown plumage on their upper parts and lighter brown hues underneath. They sport a white stripe above their eyes, possess an upright tail, and are known for their distinct “teakettle” song.
- Size: 4.7-5.5 in (12-14 cm)
- Weight: 0.6-0.8 oz (18-22 g)
- Wingspan: 11.4 in (29 cm)
Carolina Wrens are year-round residents throughout the Eastern and Southeastern States.
These wrens can be found in wooded or densely vegetated areas, occasionally paying visits to backyard feeders.
To attract more Carolina Wrens to your backyard feeders, consider providing suet feeders, hulled sunflower seeds, or peanut hearts in large tube or platform feeders.
7. White-throated Sparrow
White-throated Sparrows are easily recognizable by their black and white striped heads, vibrant white throats, and yellow patches between their eyes and bills. Their backs are brown, while their underparts are gray.
- Size: 6.3-7.1 in (16-18 cm)
- Weight: 0.8-1.1 oz (22-32 g)
- Wingspan: 7.9-9.1 in (20-23 cm)
White-throated Sparrows are migratory birds, predominantly breeding in Canada before heading south for the winter, occupying Eastern and Southern states as well as the Pacific Coast.
These sparrows can be found on the ground within forests, woods, and along wooded edges, often forming large flocks.
The diet of White-throated Sparrows mainly consists of grass and weed seeds, alongside fruits like grapes, sumac, mountain ash, blueberries, blackberries, and dogwood. During summer, they also consume a considerable number of forest floor insects.
To attract White-throated Sparrows to your backyard feeders, offer millet and black oil sunflower seeds in platform feeders.
Feel free to explore these articles if you’re interested in learning more about North American birds:
8. Chipping Sparrow
Chipping Sparrows are slender, long-tailed birds featuring grayish bellies and black-streaked brown backs. They display rusty crowns and black eye lines, with colors appearing more subdued during winter.
- Size: 4.7-5.9 in (12-15 cm)
- Weight: 0.4-0.6 oz (11-16 g)
- Wingspan: 8.3 in (21 cm)
During the summer, Chipping Sparrows breed across much of North America, including Canada. They subsequently fly to Mexico and Florida for winter. Some individuals remain year-round in the Southern States.
These sparrows can be found in small flocks on open ground and are attracted to various types of birdseed in backyard settings.
9. Female Brown-headed Cowbird
Female Brown-headed Cowbirds exhibit brown plumage with slight streaking, while males are larger with black bodies, brown heads, and short tails.
- Size: 7.6-8.7 in (19-22 cm)
- Weight: 1.3-1.8 oz (42-50 g)
- Wingspan: 14.2 in (36 cm)
Brown-headed Cowbirds breed across much of North America’s northern and western regions before migrating further south. However, they remain year-round residents in the Eastern and Southern states, as well as the Pacific Coast.
These birds are often considered nuisances due to their habit of destroying the eggs of smaller songbirds. They lay their own eggs in the nests and rely on other birds to foster their chicks.
10. Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroats are small brown songbirds with bright yellow underparts and long tails. Males display a black mask across their faces, although the intensity of their yellow plumage may vary geographically, sometimes appearing more olive beneath.
- Size: 4.3-5.1 in (11-13 cm)
- Weight: 0.3-0.3 oz (9-10 g)
- Wingspan: 5.9-7.5 in (15-19 cm)
Common Yellowthroats breed throughout most of North America, excluding Alaska and northern Canada. Some individuals remain year-round along the Gulf Coast and in the Pacific Southwest.
These birds can be found in marshy or wetland areas, as well as brushy fields characterized by dense, tangled vegetation.
Their diet primarily consists of insects, and they frequent backyards with abundant vegetation.
11. The Eastern Phoebe
The Eastern Phoebe, a plump songbird, boasts a grayish-brown back and a whitish underside, accompanied by a darker head.
- Size: 5.5-6.7 in (14-17 cm)
- Weight: 0.6-0.7 oz (16-21 g)
- Wingspan: 10.2-11.0 in (26-28 cm)
Eastern Phoebes are migratory, breeding in northeastern and central states and venturing south to the southeast and Mexico during winter.
Some individuals remain year-round in the southern regions of their range.
These phoebes prefer solitude rather than forming pairs or flocks, and can be spotted wagging their tails from low perches in peaceful woodlands.
Being flycatchers, their diet primarily consists of flying insects, but they also consume spiders, other insects, small fruits, and seeds. They tend to build their nests out of mud and grass on bridges, barns, or houses.
To attract more Eastern Phoebes to your backyard, consider installing a nest box or planting native berry-producing plants.
12. The House Wren
House Wrens are unassuming small brown birds with barred wings and tails, featuring a paler throat.
- Size: 4.3-5.1 in (11-13 cm)
- Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (10-12 g)
- Wingspan: 5.9 in (15 cm)
During the summer, House Wrens breed across most states before embarking on a migration to the far south and Mexico for winter.
These wrens can be found in backyards, parks, and open woods, diligently foraging for insects and spiders.
They energetically hop through thick foliage and low branches, with tails held high, occasionally pausing to deliver their cheerful songs.
Despite their small size, House Wrens display remarkable tenacity, often engaging in disputes with larger birds to secure the best nesting holes. In some cases, they even remove eggs or nestlings from sites they desire.
To attract more House Wrens to your backyard, create brush piles or provide suitable nest boxes.
13. The House Sparrow
The House Sparrow, an introduced species, has thrived and become one of the most abundant birds.
These small birds possess brown-backed plumage adorned with black streaks. Their heads are gray and brown, featuring white cheeks and a white band around the neck. Their bellies are gray.
- Size: 5.9-6.7 in (15-17 cm)
- Weight: 0.9-1.1 oz (27-30 g)
- Wingspan: 7.5-9.8 in (19-25 cm)
House Sparrows can be found across all U.S. states, extending into Central America.
They gravitate towards human habitation, often displaying a tame demeanor and even feeding from people’s hands.
Their diet consists primarily of grains, seeds, and discarded food. While considered non-native and sometimes categorized as pests, they frequently visit backyards, even without intentional feeding.
To attract more House Sparrows to your backyard feeders, offer various types of birdseed, including millet, corn, and sunflower seeds.
14. The Eastern Towhee
Eastern Towhees are captivating large sparrows, comparable in size to robins, characterized by their black heads, throats, and backs. Male Eastern Towhees display reddish sides, long tails, and a white belly, while females feature brown hues instead of black.
- Size: 6.8-8.2 in (17.3-20.8 cm)
- Weight: 1.1-1.8 oz (32-52 g)
- Wingspan: 7.9-11.0 in (20-28 cm)
Resident in southeastern states, Eastern Towhees from further north embark on a winter migration, making appearances in the western edge of their range.
These towhees spend their time rummaging through the undergrowth and can be found along forest edges and within thickets.
Eastern Towhees are known to visit feeders to scavenge fallen seeds. They are particularly fond of black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and millet.
15. The Spotted Towhee
Spotted Towhees are sizable sparrows donning black heads, throats, and backs in males, while females exhibit brown plumage. Both genders showcase reddish-brown sides, white bellies, and white spots on their wings and back. They sport long tails, measuring similar in size to robins.
- Size: 6.7-8.3 in (17-21 cm)
- Weight: 1.2-1.7 oz (33-49 g)
- Wingspan: 11.0 in (28 cm)
Resident on the Pacific coast, Spotted Towhees from northern central states migrate south after breeding, resulting in their winter appearance across a wide swath from north to south in central states.
Spotted Towhees can be found on the ground, diligently scratching around dense shrub thickets in search of beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, caterpillars, wasps, bees, acorns, berries, and seeds.
To attract more Spotted Towhees to your yard, maintain overgrown borders, and provide Black Oil Sunflower seeds, Hulled Sunflower seeds, Cracked Corn, Millet, and Milo in platform or ground feeders.
16. The Brown Thrasher
Brown Thrashers are melodious songbirds boasting long proportions, akin in size to robins. Their backs are brown, while their chests and bellies exhibit white streaks. These thrashers possess gray faces with bright yellow eyes.
- Size: 9.1-11.8 in (23-30 cm)
- Weight: 2.1-3.1 oz (61-89 g)
- Wingspan: 11.4-12.6 in (29-32 cm)
Brown Thrashers inhabit central and eastern regions of North America. While those in the southeast remain year-round, individuals from further north migrate south during winter.
These thrashers prove elusive due to their preference for thickets and shrubbery. However, their presence becomes apparent through the rustling sound they make while rummaging through leaf litter and soil, foraging for insects.
In addition to insects, Brown Thrashers also consume berries, beetles, and flying insects. They may visit your backyard if there is ample dense cover and berry-producing shrubs, often collecting fallen seeds from beneath feeders.
Remarkably, Brown Thrashers are known for their vast repertoire of over 1,000 different song types, making them one of North America’s most accomplished songbirds.
17. The Savannah Sparrow
The Savannah Sparrow, upon closer inspection, reveals a distinct yellow patch adjacent to its eye. These birds possess short tails and exhibit streaky brown plumage.
- Size: 4.3-5.9 in (11-15 cm)
- Weight: 0.5-1.0 oz (15-28 g)
- Wingspan: 7.9-8.7 in (20-22 cm)
Breeding in Canada and the U.S., Savannah Sparrows migrate to southern states and Mexico during winter. While they do not typically frequent feeders, they may visit your yard if you maintain brush piles, long grass, and live near fields.
Their diet primarily consists of insects and spiders during the breeding season, transitioning to seeds during winter.
18. The Great-crested Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatchers feature brown backs, yellow bellies, and gray throats. Their wing and tail feathers display reddish flashes, while their crests are not prominently visible.
- Size: 6.7-8.3 in (17-21 cm)
- Weight: 0.9-1.4 oz (27-40 g)
- Wingspan: 13.4 in (34 cm)
Breeding across a significant portion of eastern North America, Great Crested Flycatchers spend winter in southern Florida, southern Mexico, and Central America.
Perched high in woodlands, they await the arrival of large insects, such as butterflies, grasshoppers, moths, wasps, and spiders. These flycatchers frequent mixed woodlands and the edges of clearings, parks, tree-lined neighborhoods, and can even be found on fenceposts or other man-made structures. Additionally, they consume berries and small fruits.
To attract more Great Crested Flycatchers to your backyard, consider planting native plant species, leaving brush piles to entice insects, and providing nest boxes, as these birds readily utilize them.
19. The Field Sparrow
Field Sparrows are small, slender birds with brown-backed plumage streaked with black. Their heads and undersides are gray, accompanied by a reddish crown and pink bill.
- Size: 4.7-5.9 in (12-15 cm)
- Weight: 0.4-0.5 oz (11-15 g)
- Wingspan: 7.9 in (20 cm)
Field Sparrows remain year-round residents in the east, while those breeding in the Midwest embark on a southward migration during winter.
These sparrows quietly feed on weeds and seeds, often eluding detection due to their preference for abandoned fields. During the breeding season, males deliver their songs from perches, facilitating easier sightings.
20. The Bewick’s Wren
Bewick’s Wrens are brown-backed birds sporting long, upright tails. They possess gray bellies and a white stripe above their eyes.
- Size: 5.1 in (13 cm)
- Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (8-12 g)
Bewick’s Wrens reside in southern and western states throughout the year, with some small movements occurring during winter.
You can spot them hopping from branch to branch in scrublands, thickets, and open woodlands, often accompanied by flickering tail movements.
Their diet consists of insects, larvae, and they may visit backyard feeders for suet, mealworms, and hulled sunflower seeds.
21. The Pine Siskin
Pine Siskins are petite finches, adorned with streaks of yellow in their wings and tails. They possess a forked tail, pointed wings, and a short, pointed bill.
- Size: 4.3-5.5 in (11-14 cm)
- Weight: 0.4-0.6 oz (12-18 g)
- Wingspan: 7.1-8.7 in (18-22 cm)
Remaining in pine forests throughout the year in the western states and along the Canadian border, Pine Siskins also breed in Canada before embarking on their southern migration for winter.
Their presence spans across much of North America, depending on pine cone crops. As their name suggests, Pine Siskins primarily feed on seeds from conifers, but they also partake in young buds and seeds from grasses and weeds.
To attract more Pine Siskins to your backyard, consider providing thistle and nyjer feeders, as well as black oil sunflower seeds and suet.
22. The Hermit Thrush
Hermit Thrushes possess an upright posture, showcasing chunky bodies, long tails, and a brown back with white undersides. They feature spots on their throat and breast.
- Size: 5.5-7.1 in (14-18 cm)
- Weight: 0.8-1.3 oz (23-37 g)
- Wingspan: 9.8-11.4 in (25-29 cm)
Breeding in Canada, northeastern US states, and the western US, Hermit Thrushes make appearances during migration in central states. For winter, they seek refuge along the Pacific Coast, in southeastern states, and Mexico.
These thrushes engage in foraging on the ground, diligently searching for insects amidst leaf litter in mature forests. Their diet expands to include berries during winter.
While not frequent visitors to backyards, their unique and somewhat melancholic song can be heard during spring and summer.
23. The Swamp Sparrow
Swamp Sparrows exhibit dark brown plumage on their backs, accompanied by rusty crowns and wings. Their gray breasts and white throats contrast beautifully. Their heads showcase shades of gray and brown, complete with a dark eye line and a yellow beak tip.
- Size: 4.7-5.9 in (12-15 cm)
- Weight: 0.5-0.8 oz (15-23 g)
- Wingspan: 7.1-7.5 in (18-19 cm)
Breeding in Canada and northeastern and north-central US states, Swamp Sparrows embark on a migration journey to eastern and southern US states, as well as Mexico.
True to their name, Swamp Sparrows thrive in wetlands, swamps, bogs, and coastal marshes. Their diet primarily consists of seeds and fruit, especially during winter, while insects become a significant part of their meals during spring.
Although they are not regular visitors to backyards, Swamp Sparrows may appear during migration in yards with abundant vegetation and water sources.
24. The Brown Creeper
Brown Creepers are diminutive songbirds that skillfully blend into tree trunks with their streaked brown backs and white undersides.
- Size: 4.7-5.5 in (12-14 cm)
- Weight: 0.2-0.3 oz (5-10 g)
- Wingspan: 6.7-7.9 in (17-20 cm)
Unlike migratory birds, Brown Creepers maintain a non-migratory lifestyle. However, they may move south or to lower elevations during winter. They can be found across Alaska, southern Canada, northeastern and eastern US states, and extend down to Mexico and Central America. In certain winters, they may venture into central and southeastern states.
To spot these small birds, observe mature woodlands with large trees, paying close attention to the trunks. Brown Creepers diligently hunt for insects and larvae concealed in the bark, often traveling upward along the tree trunk—a behavior distinct from that of nuthatches, which typically face downward.
Rather than singing, Brown Creepers emit a high, piercing call that aids in locating their presence.
25. Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Female Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and immature males exhibit brown plumage with abundant streaking and a hint of yellow beneath their wings.
Male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, on the other hand, feature black-and-white attire, sporting black heads and backs, white bellies, and a red breast. They also possess a red flash beneath their wings.
- Size: 7.1-8.3 in (18-21 cm)
- Weight: 1.4-1.7 oz (39-49 g)
- Wingspan: 11.4-13.0 in (29-33 cm)
Breeding in northeastern US states, the Midwest, and southern and central Canada, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks can be observed during migration in the southeast. For winter, they seek refuge in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
To attract more Rose-breasted Grosbeaks to your backyard, offer sunflower seeds and peanuts as enticing food sources.
26. Female Purple Finch
Female Purple Finches are streaked brown birds. In contrast, males display reddish-purple heads and breasts, resembling House Finches. However, Purple Finches exhibit more brown tones on their backs and wings.
- Size: 4.7-6.3 in (12-16 cm)
- Weight: 0.6-1.1 oz (18-32 g)
- Wingspan: 8.7-10.2 in (22-26 cm)
Breeding in Canada and overwintering in eastern US states, Purple Finches can be found year-round in the northeastern and Pacific coastal regions.
Their favored habitats include evergreen forests, where they feed on seeds, buds, nectar, and berries. Purple Finches readily visit feeders to enjoy black oil sunflower seeds.
27. The Wood Thrush
Wood Thrushes possess plump bodies with white bellies adorned with black spots, contributing to their slightly comical appearance. They sport brown backs and reddish tones on their crown and upper back.
- Size: 7.5-8.3 in (19-21 cm)
- Weight: 1.4-1.8 oz (40-50 g)
- Wingspan: 11.8-13.4 in (30-34 cm)
Wood Thrushes migrate from eastern US states, traversing the Gulf of Mexico to reach their wintering grounds in Central America. This migration occurs overnight, covering vast distances.
While foraging in leaf litter for insects like beetles and flies, Wood Thrushes often remain hidden in mature forests. During spring, their melodious, flute-like songs echo through the air.
28. The California Towhee
California Towhees are plump sparrows with long tails, short wings, and a rusty patch beneath their tails. Their feathers exhibit shades of brown.
- Size: 8.3-9.8 in (21-25 cm)
- Weight: 1.3-2.4 oz (37-67 g)
- Wingspan: 11.4 in (29 cm)
These towhees inhabit the coastal chaparral scrub regions of California, Oregon, and Baja California. They readily visit backyards, perching on fenceposts and engaging in playful chases with their reflections in car mirrors or windows.
The California Towhee’s diet primarily consists of grass and herb seeds, along with berries such as elderberry, coffeeberry, and acorns.
To attract more California Towhees to your yard, offer millet in on-ground feeders and plant native berry-producing plants.
29. The American Tree Sparrow
American Tree Sparrows are small birds with long tails and brown streaks. They showcase a rusty cap, gray faces, and a distinctive rusty eyeliner.
- Size: 5.5 in (14 cm)
- Weight: 0.5-1.0 oz (13-28 g)
- Wingspan: 9.4 in (24 cm)
American Tree Sparrows experience a unique annual cycle—they breed in the far north of Canada and Alaska, and during winter, they migrate to most US states, excluding the Pacific Coast and Gulf Coast.
These sparrows forage in small flocks within weedy fields and under bird feeders.
To attract more American Tree Sparrows to your backyard, consider providing seeds such as black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer, cracked corn, and millet in platform or ground feeders. They also scavenge for seeds dropped or discarded from above tube feeders.
30. The Marsh Wren
Marsh Wrens possess brown plumage with black and white streaks on their backs. Their undersides exhibit shades of grayish brown, and their heads feature a gray-brown coloration with a dark eye line. A white stripe decorates their eyes.
- Size: 3.9-5.5 in (10-14 cm)
- Weight: 0.3-0.5 oz (9-14 g)
- Wingspan: 5.9 in (15 cm)
Breeding in the northern US states and central Canada, Marsh Wrens embark on migrations to southern US states and Mexico. While some birds in the west and along the Atlantic Coast remain resident throughout the year, others make appearances during migration in the eastern US.
The preferred habitat for Marsh Wrens consists of wetlands, swamps, bogs, and coastal marshes. They cling to reeds, often grasping different stalks with each foot. Although they can be challenging to spot, their singing, particularly at dawn and dusk, aids in their detection.
31. The Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Chestnut-backed Chickadees are tiny birds, featuring black and white markings on their heads. Their backs boast a rich chestnut brown color, while their wings and bellies appear gray.
- Size: 3.9-4.7 in (10-12 cm)
- Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (7-12 g)
- Wingspan: 7.5 in (19 cm)
These chickadees form flocks and thrive in wet evergreen forests along the Pacific Northwest Coast. They frequently visit backyard feeders.
Their diet predominantly consists of insects, including caterpillars, spiders, wasps, and aphids. Additionally, they consume seeds, berries, and fruit.
To attract Chestnut-backed Chickadees to your yard, offer black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, nyjer, peanuts, or mealworms in tube feeders, platform feeders, or suet cages. They are also known to utilize nest boxes.
32. The Swainson’s Thrush
Swainson’s Thrushes showcase brown backs and paler undersides with brown spotting on their throats and breasts. The intensity of the spotting gradually diminishes towards their flanks. These medium-sized birds possess distinctive eyerings.
- Size: 6.3-7.5 in (16-19 cm)
- Weight: 0.8-1.6 oz (23-45 g)
- Wingspan: 11.4-12.2 in (29-31 cm)
Breeding in Canada, Alaska, and some northeastern and northwestern states, Swainson’s Thrushes can be spotted during migration across the rest of the US as they travel to and from their wintering grounds in Central and South America.
During the breeding season, they inhabit mainly coniferous forests. However, during migration, Swainson’s Thrushes frequent areas with dense undergrowth. Their diet consists of insects and fruit.
33. The Golden-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrows possess grayish-brown undersides and streaked brown backs. Their heads feature a black crown and a vibrant yellow forehead.
During winter, their colors become muted, with a brown crown and a less vibrant yellow forehead.
- Size: 5.9-7.1 in (15-18 cm)
- Weight: 1.1-1.2 oz (30-33 g)
- Golden-crowned Sparrows breed in Alaska and western Canada, migrating to the West Coast for winter.
In winter, they can be found in weedy fields, diligently scratching the ground for seeds such as dock, sumac, and geranium. They also incorporate fruit, such as apples, grapes, elderberry, and olives, into their diet. Insects, including ants, beetles, butterflies, and termites, supplement their meals.
To attract more Golden-crowned Sparrows to your backyard, provide seeds in ground feeders or plant native fruit-bearing plants.
If you wish to enhance your bird identification skills, utilizing bird identification apps like those developed by eBird or Audubon can be invaluable resources.