Sing Out Loud, Part One

There are dozens of sparrow species in North America, and to the casual observer they may all look alike. They are small, brown, and elusive, with none of the startling coloring of species such as the oriole, bluebird, or tanager. Sparrows are mostly brown with tan and gray underparts. Many of the species have extensive streaking on the breast, belly, and flanks. There are at least 35 sparrow species in North America, and the song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) is one of the most familiar. It is a medium-sized bird with bold streaking on the chest and flanks—the chest streaks often converge in a dark central spot.