Common to uncommon statewide depending on season and location. "Chippies" breed in North Carolina in open pine forests and various edges of fields & woods.
7 photographs
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)Durham Co., NC6 Apr 2006In breeding plumage, they have a rich chestnut cap, black eye line, and "sharp" coloration.
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)Catawba Co., NC31 Jan 2008In winter plumage, especially in young birds, they crown is more diffuse & dull chestnut, the eye line is less dark, and the overall pattern & colors are less bold.Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)Catawba Co., NC31 Jan 2008Note that the eye line extends in front of the eye toward the bill. This helps distinguish Chipping Sparrows from Clay-coloreds and Brewer's.Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)Catawba Co., NC31 Jan 2008
