American Tree Sparrow

About the American Tree Sparrow

The American tree sparrow (Spizelloides arborea), also known as the winter sparrow, is a medium-sized New World sparrow. It breeds in Alaska and Northern Canada and winters in Southern Canada and the Contiguous United States. It is the only member of the genus Spizelloides.

First described in 1810 by Alexander Wilson, it was included by John James Audubon in the first edition of The Birds of America under the name Canada bunting. The American tree sparrow was originally placed in the genus Spizella. In 2014, it was moved to its own monotypic genus, Spizelloides, based on polyphyly in Spizella and multilocus molecular evidence suggesting the species was strongly divergent from other extant genera.

The bird's measurements are as follows: Length: 5.5 in (14 cm) Weight: 0.5–1.0 oz (13–28 g) Wingspan: 9.4 in (24 cm) Adults have a rusty cap and grey underparts with a small dark spot on the breast. They have a rusty back with lighter stripes, brown wings with white bars and a slim tail. Their face is grey with a rusty line through the eye. Their flanks are splashed with light brown. They are similar in appearance to the chipping sparrow. Wikipedia →