American Tree Sparrow Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesAmerican Tree Sparrow
Adult
Rather plump sparrow with a long tail. A rusty cap and eyeline mark the gray face. Note bicolored bill and unstreaked underparts.
© Dorian Anderson / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, January 03, 2014Adult
Small, round-headed birds that often fluff out their feathers, making their plump bodies look even chubbier. Note rusty crown and eyeline on a gray face.
© Alix d'Entremont / Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, February 14, 2015Adult
A rusty crown and eyeline mark its gray face. Note unstreaked underparts.
© Ronnie d'Entremont / Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, November 13, 2016Adult
Plump sparrow with a rusty cap, bicolored bill, and a dark central breast spot.
© Andrew Spencer / Macaulay LibraryYukon Territory, June 06, 2014Adult
Eats seeds including birdseed during the winter. Note rusty crown and eyeline on a gray face.
© Brad Imhoff / Macaulay LibraryOhio, December 05, 2019Adult
In winter, found in weedy fields with hedgerows or shrubs, along forest edges, or near marshes. Note central breast spot on an unstreaked belly.
© Marc St. Onge / Macaulay LibraryOntario, February 22, 2009Similar SpeciesChipping Sparrow
Nonbreeding
In winter, Chipping Sparrows have a duller cap than American Tree Sparrows. They have a black line through the eyes whereas American Tree Sparrows have a rusty eyeline.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 15, 2007Similar SpeciesSong Sparrow
Adult
Song Sparrows have heavy streaking on the breast, whereas American Tree Sparrows have a plain breast, sometimes with a single dark spot.
© Steven Mlodinow / Macaulay LibraryWashington, December 28, 2010Similar SpeciesField Sparrow
Adult
Field Sparrows have a pink bill and a white ring around the eye whereas American Tree Sparrows have a bicolored bill and a rusty eyeline.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryMississippi, December 26, 2009Similar SpeciesLark Sparrow
Adult
Lark Sparrows have a much more complex head pattern including rusty cheek patches that American Tree Sparrows do not have.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryColorado, August 07, 2010Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
Compare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Species in This Family
New World Sparrows(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Passerellidae)
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.