The song sparrow, as its name implies, is always singing. It can be heard through the spring and summer months. More, so it seems, than other songbirds. There is little or no variation in its song throughout North America. So knowing its song makes it easy to recognize everywhere.

It is one of the most abundant species in the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, on the rest of the Peninsula and in North America. It is found in almost every type of habitat, but prefers gardens, and hedgerows. In our area it also frequents marsh edges and fields. Thus, its diet consists of insects, seeds and crustaceans. Being a seed eater, the song sparrow will also frequent bird feeders.

There is variation in the song sparrow’s plumage across the continent. Northern and coastal species are darkest and streakier than those found elsewhere in the country. Their bold, coarse, brown streaking usually culminates in a large spot on the center of its breast. When it flies it shows a characteristic downward pumping of its tail. Generally speaking, the song sparrow is brown in color with rusty tinges on the wings and tail.

Cornell’s website indicates that the song sparrow is “one of the first species you should suspect if you see a streaky sparrow in an open, shrubby or wet area”. Another clue is that when it sings it likes to perch on a low shrub or tree where it leans back and sings forth in song.

As a persistent singer, it could be said that the male shall have music wherever he goes, he goes, he goes!