Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) lives in woodland edges across North America. It feeds on seeds and insects. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Fox Sparrow
- From the boreal forests of northern Canada to the chaparral of California, fox sparrows occupy a vast swath of North America. In summer they breed across northern Canada and Alaska and stretch south through western North America, while in winter they retreat to the Pacific coast from southern British Columbia down to northern Baja California.
- Fox sparrows form monogamous pairs that nest on the ground or low in shrubs, laying three to five speckled eggs per clutch. The female incubates the clutch for 12-14 days, after which the altricial chicks are fed primarily insects and fledge in just 9-10 days. Both parents stay nearby, using a broken-wing display to distract predators while the young finish growing. This rapid development cycle, repeated up to twice each breeding season (mid-May to July).
- On the forest floor, fox sparrows employ a double-scratch technique, kicking both feet backward at once to uncover hidden seeds, insects, spiders, millipedes and even tiny snails. Their diet also includes berries, especially blueberries, and coastal birds add crustaceans to the mix.
- Fox sparrows can live surprisingly long for a small songbird: the oldest recorded individual reached 9 years 8 months, and the average wild lifespan is about 124 months (just over 10 years). Their status as Least Concern, yet they remain vulnerable to habitat loss from logging.
- Fox sparrows pack a surprising punch for a sparrow: they measure 15-19 cm long, sport a wingspan of 26.7-29 cm and weigh 26-44 g. Their bulk makes them among the largest of the New World sparrows.
Sources
Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.
At a glance
RangeNorth America
HabitatWoodland edges
DietSeeds and insects
About the Fox Sparrow
In the dense underbrush of North America's woodlands, the Fox Sparrow weaves a subtle yet enchanting presence, its earthy tones and delicate song a gentle whisper through the rustling leaves. With each deliberate step, the sparrow's sturdy legs propel it forward, its tail feathers twitching like a metronome as it forages for hidden seeds and insects. As the seasons unfold, this unassuming bird undertakes an epic migration, tracing a vast arc across the continent with a quiet resilience that belies its remarkable endurance.
Hear the Fox Sparrow, and 4,400+ more
Real recorded sounds, 11 nature games and a free Daily 5, 1v1 quiz duels, conservation wins and a safe Kids mode. Free on Feravox.
