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365 Urban species. #357: Song Sparrow

Photo by cottonmanifesto. Location: Among the mud and Phragmites chaff in the Riverway.

Urban species #357: Song sparrow Melospiza melodia

The song sparrow is a common, but welcome bird throughout North America. It prefers habitat that includes forest edges, mixed vegetation, and water margins, conditions found in many urban areas. Boston's Fens and other wet parks can claim the song sparrow as one of the most abundant species. Along both coasts and through the middle of the continent, the song sparrow is a year-round resident making its presence known in spring and summer through its song, and conspicuous in winter as well. Its song is a short, uncomplicated set of phrases, which almost always includes a trill, reminiscent of the red-winged blackbird (who often shares habitat with it). Though always well camouflaged, song sparrows show a range of patterning that varies according to geography; some ornithologists recognize up to 40 different subspecies! Song sparrows are largely granivorous, eating seeds of many different plants, probably contributing to the spread of both native and invasive species. During the breeding season their diet shifts to include insects and other invertebrate prey. A recent study, conducted near San Francisco, showed that song sparrows choose territory based in great part on the availability of invertebrate prey.