Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Melospiza ("song finch") lincolnii (Thomas Lincoln, a friend of Audobon)

Adult Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) at Anchorage, Alaska - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: Melospiza lincolnii gracilis
Weight: 17-19g/kg  /  Length: 13-15cm  /  Wingspan: 19-22cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A somewhat more timid member of the New World Sparrows, Lincoln's Sparrow favour more mountainous and boggy habitats where they are primarily ground feeding. They winter in the Southern US and Mexico. Thomas Lincoln for whom they are named, shot a bird in Nova Scotia, which he presented to his friend James Audobon who named it after him.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Melospiza
SUBSPECIES: M. l. lincolnii, M. l. gracilis, M. l. alticola
 
- Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Breeds in Alaska, Rockies and inland on the West Coast States, Winters on West Coast and Southern Saates 
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Alaska

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Yellow-thighed Brushfinch (Atlapetes tibialis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Atlapetes ("powerful flyer") tibialis ("relating to shinbones")

Yellow-thighed Brushfinch (Atlapetes tibialis) at San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 31g  /  Length: 18.5cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

An omnivorous endemic of the Talamancan Montane Forest where it breeds from 1700m altitude to the timberline. Despite the name, it is a member of the New World Sparrows rather than the finches. They are quite adaptable in their habitat and can also be found in various densities of growth including in scrub and bamboo.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Atlapetes
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Cerquero Musliamarillo
An endemic of the Talamancan Montane Forest
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at San Gerardo de Dota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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White-naped Brushfinch (Atlapetes albinucha)

OTHER NAMES: Yellow-throated Brushfinch
Latin Etymology: Atlapetes ("powerful flyer") albinucha ("white nape")

 

White-naped Brushfinch (Atlapetes albinucha) at San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Atlapetes albinucha pavirostris
Weight: ?  /  Length: 17-21cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A widely but patchily distributed species with many disjunct populations associated with different highlands between Central Mexico and Ecuador. They are currently considered to represent two groups, which may represent two separate species, with the "white naped" found almost exlusively in Mexico and having an all yellow underside, while the yellow throated such as this one only have a yellow throat and are white otherwise underneath.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Atlapetes
SUBSPECIES: A. a. gutturalis, A. a. griseipectus, A. a. fuscipygius, A. a. parvirostris, A. a. brunnescens, A. a. coloratus, A. a. coloratus, A. a. azurensis
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA 
Found in Talamancan Montane Forest
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at San Gerardo de Dota 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Stripe-headed Sparrow (Peucaea ruficauda)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Peucaea ("pine tree") ruficauda ("rufous tailed")

 

Stripe-headed Sparrow (Peucaea ruficauda) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Peucaea ruficauda ruficauda
Weight: 35g  /  Length: 15-18cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A large sparrow found in several disjunct ranges on the Pacific Coast from Central Mexico to Tarcoles in Costa Rica. They are unique among New World Sparrows in that they have a co-operative breeding system where up to seven other birds have been recorded as supporting a breeding pair to raise the chicks. 
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Peucaea
SUBSPECIES: P. r. acuminata, P. r. ruficauda, R. f. lawrencii
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Chingolo Cabecilstado ("Rufous-headed sparrow")
Found in North-West
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Large-footed Finch (Pezopetes capitalis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Pezopetes ("foot flyer") capitalis ("of the head")

Large-footed Finch (Pezopetes capitalis) at San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 56g  /  Length: 20cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite the name it is actually a member of the New World Sparrows in it's own unique genus Pezopetes. An endemic of the Talamancan Montane Ecozone it is found over 2150m where it uses a unique feeding method where it kicks leaf litter away with it's large powerful feet to exposure invertibrates underneath.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Pezopetes
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

 COSTA RICA - Spanish - Cerquero Patigrande
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at San Gerardo de Dota

Endemic to Talamancan Montane Forest Ecozone

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Sooty-capped Chlorospingus (Chlorospingus pileatus)

OTHER NAMES: Sooty-capped Bush Tanager
Latin Etymology: Chlorospingus ("yellow-green finch") pileatus ("capped")  

Sooty-capped Chlorospingus (Chlorospingus pileatus) at San Gerardo de Dota - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Chlorospingus pileatus pileatus
Weight: 20g  /  Length: 13.5cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Found only in the Talamancan Montane Forests of Costa Rica and Panama, this bird is very distinctive within its range thanks to the four bright sections formed on its face by the supercillium and moustache. They are found in mossy forests but will frequent feeders nearby. Formerly considered a member of the tanagers, more recent studies have placed the species of chlorospingus inside the new world sparrows.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Chlorospingus
SUBSPECIES: C. p. pileatus, C. p. diversus
 
- Sighting Locations - 

COSTA RICA - Spanish - clorospingo cejiblanco
Found in central Montane Forests
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles
 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis)

OTHER NAMES: Andean Sparrow
Latin Etymology:  Zonotrichia ("band hair") capensis ("Cape of Good Hope" - erroneously)

Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) at San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Zonotrichia capensis costaricensis
Weight: 20-25g  /  Length: 13.5-15cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A widely distrubted new world sparrow whose range covers most of South America except much of the basins or the Amazon and Orinoco as well as upland pockets of Central America. They prefer highlands, hence the alternative name "Andean Sparrow" as they are found through much of that mountain range. However, despite that, the geographically isolated populations of Costa Rica and other Central American highlands are among the commest birds at their preferred altitudes.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Zonotrichia
SUBSPECIES: Z. c. septentrionalis, Z. c. antillarum, Z. c. costaricensis, Z. c. insularis, Z. c. venezuelae, Z. c. roraimae, Z. c. inaccessibilis, Z. c. perezchinchillorum, Z. c. macconelli, Z. c. capensis, Z. c. tocantinsi, Z. c. novaesi, Z. c. matutina, Z. c. huancabambae, Z. c. illescasensis, Z. c. peruviensis, Z. c. carabayae, Z. c. pulacayensis, Z. c. subtorquata, Z. c. mellea, Z. c. hypoleuca, Z. c. antofagastae, Z. c. chilensis, Z. c. sanborni, Z. c. arenalensis, Z. c. choraules, Z. c. australis

 

- Sighting Locations -
 
COSTA RICA - Spanish (Costa Rican) - comemaíz ("corn eater")
Locally common at higher altitudes
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at San Gerardo de Dota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Pipilo ("to cheep") erythrophthalmus ("having red eyes")

Adult Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) at Necedah, Wisconsin - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: Pipilo erythrophthalmus erythrophthalmus
Weight: 32-53g  /  Length: 17-23cm  /  Wingspan: 20-30cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Formerly considered conspecific with the Spotted Towhee, the Eastern Towhee is a near-endemic species of the USA, whose range ends at a fairly straight line from the Minnesota-North Dakota Border down to the Southernmost point of Texas. A versatile species that is able to colonise disturbed areas successfully.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Pipilo
SUBSPECIES: P. e. erthyrophalmus, P. e. canaster, P. e. rileyi, P. e. alleni

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Found in the Eastern half of the Lower 48.
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen at Necedah, Wisconsin

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Spizella ("finch") pusilla ("very small")

Juvenile Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) at Campton Hills, Illinois- August 2024

Featured Subspecies: Spizella arenacea arenacea
Weight: 12.5g  /  Length: 13-15cm  /  Wingspan: 20cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A near endemic species to the USA, with it's range just barely tipping over the borders into Mexico and Canada, the Field Sparrow is an unusually pale sparrow species wit a distinctive pink bill. The population is East of the Rockies right up to the Atlantic Coast, with more northerly populations being migratory.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Spizella
SUBSPECIES: S. p. pusilla, S. p. arenacea

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Found in the Eastern half of the Lower 48.
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen at Gray Willows Farm, Campton Hills, Illinois

 Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Zonotrichia ("band hair") albicollis ("white throated")

Adult White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) at Saskatoon Lake, Alberta, Canada - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 26g  /  Length: 15-19cm  /  Wingspan: 23cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

When our trip first took us into the boreal forests of Canada it took me a while to locate the source of the odd WEEEP WOOOP WUUUPUUPPUU notes emerging from the forest.  When I eventually did manage to identify the source it proved to be this charming little sparrow. Once I knew what to look for they became the most defining species of these forests for a section of the trip.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Zonotrichia
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Breeds throughout much of the country except the tundra and mountains.
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta, British Colombia and Yukon

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Spizella ("finch") pallida ("pale")

Adult Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) at Buffalo River State Park, Minnesota - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: n/a
Weight: 12g  /  Length: 13-15cm  /  Wingspan: 19cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A resident of scrubland and jack pine woods found in Central Northern US and Canada, I only encountered a few at the Buffalo River State Park in Minnesota where the scrubby edges of the prairie proved to be favoured by them.  They nest on the ground or in low scrub.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Spizella
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Breeds primarily in Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin, some winter grounds extend into Texas
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen at Buffalo River State Park, Minnesota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Chondestes ("to sing") grammacus ("of the grass")

Adult Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) at Sully Creek State Park, North Dakota - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: 24-33g  /  Length: 15-17cm  /  Wingspan: 28cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A larger new world sparrow species with it's range centred on West and Central USA. Their diet is largely seed based, but it is supplemented with grasshoppers and other insects when available. When looking to attract a mate, male lark sparrows put on a dance on the ground that can last for up to 5 minutes.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Chondestes
SUBSPECIES: C. g. grammacus, C. g. strigatus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Occurs through most of the Lower 48 East of the Great Lakes
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in North Dakota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Spizella ("finch") passerina ("sparrow like")

Adult Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) at Buffalo State River Park, Minnesota  - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: Spizella passerina passerina
Weight: 11-17g  /  Length: 12-15cm  /  Wingspan: 21cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A widespread species of sparrow that is largely a migrant breeding species in most of the US and Canada, they are an adaptable species that can be found in forest, farmland and gardens. In breeding plumage they gain a chestnut coloured cap, but this becomes less distinctive in nonbreeding plumage.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Spizella
SUBSPECIES: S. p. arizonae, S. p. passerina, S. p. atremaeus, S. p. mexicana, S. p. pinetorum

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Breeds throughout much of the country except the tundra.
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta

UNITED STATES - Occurs throughout almost the entire lower 48, and some patches of Alaska.
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Common bird in the lower 48 section of the trip. 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Junco ("reeds") hyemalis ("of winter")

Adult male Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) at Berkeley, California - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: probably Junco hyemalis pinosus
Weight: 18-30g  /  Length: 13-16m  /  Wingspan: 18-25cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A highly variable species which the various subspecies have such drastically different appearances they were previously considered separate species. There are six groups which contain subspecies of vastly differing appearances and colour schemes. The groups were only realised to represent a single large species when it was noted that they interbreed extensively where they meet.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Junco
SUBSPECIES: J. h. hyemalis, J. h. carolinensis, J. h. cismontanus, J. h. aikeni, J. h. monatus, J. h. mutabilis, J. h. oreganus, J. h. pinosus, J. h. pontilis, J. h. shufeldti, J. h. thurberi, J. h. townsendi, J. h. mearnsi, J. h. caniceps, J. h. dorsalis

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Breeds in Alaska, Resident on West Coast and North East, Winters in Central and South US
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley and San Francisco

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)

OTHER NAMES: Rufous-sided Towhee, Oregon Towhee 
Latin Etymology: Pipilo ("to cheep") maculatus ("spotted") 

Adult male Spotted Towhee (subspecies P. m. falcifer) at Roy's Redwoods, California - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: Pipilo maculatus falcifer
Weight: 33g  /  Length: 17cm  /  Wingspan: 28cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A distinctively patterned bird, the Spotted Towhee is a bird of upland forest and scrub - they are closely related to the similar looking Eastern Towhee, with which it was formerly considered a single species. Given their favoured habitat, their colonisation of an area tends to follow regrowth after fires, which means that smaller scrubland can re-establish for a while.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Pipilo
SUBSPECIES: P. m. oregonus,  P. m. falcifer,  P. m. megalonyx, P. m. clementae, P. m. umbraticola, P. m. consobrinus, P. m. arcticus, P. m. curtatus, P. m. falcinellus, P. m. monatus, P. m. gaigei, P. m. griseipygius, P. m. orientalis, P. m. maculatus, P. m. sympatricus, P. m. vulcanorum, P. m. oaxacae, P. m. chiapensis, P. m. repetens, P. m. macronyx, P. m. socorroensis

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Found in much of the Western Unted States
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP:  Seen at Roy's Redwoods

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Passerculus ("small sparrow") sandwichensis ("of Sandwich, Unalaska")

Adult Savannah Sparrow (subspecies P. s. alaudinus) at Monterey, California - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus
Weight: 15-29g  /  Length: 11-15cm  /  Wingspan: 18-25cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A small neat sparrow distinguished by it's pale golden supercilium, they are found across the entirity of the Lower 48 and Alaska. Despite the fact they are indeed found in grassland, the name actually doesn't refer to that, but rather to the city of Savannah, Georgia, where this species was first described from to Western Science.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Passerculus
SUBSPECIES: P. s. oblitus, P. s. mediogriseus, P. s. labadorius, P. s. savanna, P. s. princeps, P. s. anthinus, P. s. sandwichensis, P. s. crassus, P. s. brooksi, P. s. alaudinus, P. s. nevadensis, P. s. rufofuscus, P. s. brunnescens, P. s. wetmorei, P. s. beldingi, P. s. anulus, P. s. guttatus, P. s. magdalenae, P. s. sanctorum, P. s. rostratus, P. s. atratus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 

Breeds in Alaska and Northern States of the Lower 48, Winters in Southern States. Resident in Central and Southern Coastal California
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley and  Monterey

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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California Towhee (Melozone crissalis)

OTHER NAMES: Brown Towhee
Latin Etymology: Melozone ("cheek belt") crissalis ("of the vent")

Adult California Towhee (subspecies M. c. petulans) at Berkeley, California - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: Melozone crissalis petulans
Weight: 46-61g  /  Length: 20-25cm  /  Wingspan: 29cm
NO UK STATUS/ IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A bird found almost exclusively in California and the Baha California Penninsula, it is a member of the New World Sparrows, but by the typical image of that group its body is elongated and it's stance more-thrushlike, though it retains a seed-eaters thick beak.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Melozone
SUBSPECIES: M. c. bullata, M. c. carolae, M. c. petulans, M. c. crissalis, M. c. eremophilia, M. c. senicula, M. c. aripolia, M. c. albigula

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Largely endemic to California within the US, with one population in Southern Oregon
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Melospiza ("song finch") melodia ("singing")

Adult male Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) at Hayward, California - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: Unclear
Weight: 11-53g  /  Length: 11-18cm  /  Wingspan: 18-25cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

When I first heard this species singing, I understood why it is named the Song Sparrow - compared to other seed "finch like" birds it is very melodic and clear. Is is also a species with a huge array of subspecies which seem to adapt readily to different habitats - there are multiple endemic subspecies in California alone!

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Melospiza
SUBSPECIES: M. m. melodia, M. m.atlantica, M. m.maxima, M. m.sanaka, M. m.insignis, M. m.kenaiensis, M. m. caurina, M. m.rufina, M. m. morphna, M. m. merrilli, M. m. montana, M. m. cleonensis, M. m.gouldii, M. m.maxillaris, M. m. heermanni, M. m.graminea, M. m. samuelis, M. m. pusillula, M. m. fallax, M. m. rivularis, M. m. goldmani, M. m. mexicana, M. m. villai, M. m. adusta, M. m. zacapu

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Found at different times of the year through every state except Hawai'i
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at San Jose, Berkeley and Hayward  

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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