Chipping sparrows, small birds with a reddish-brown cap and clear, gray breasts, are common in North American backyards. Frequently observed foraging in open suburban habitats, their diet varies between their natural environment and human-provided feeders.
Primary Wild Foods
Chipping sparrows primarily forage on the ground or in low vegetation, seeking out small seeds and insects. Their diet includes seeds from plants like dandelion, clover, ragweed, chickweed, and knotweed. They also consume small rocks and grit, which aid in grinding down seeds for digestion.
Beyond seeds, chipping sparrows actively hunt insects and other invertebrates. Their insect prey includes moths, butterflies, beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and spiders. They have been observed consuming large numbers of insects, which, along with seeds, provides necessary nutrients for their survival.
Seasonal Dietary Changes
The diet of chipping sparrows shifts significantly with the changing seasons. During the breeding season, their diet becomes heavily reliant on protein-rich insects. Insects can constitute up to 93 percent of their diet during this period, supporting the demands of nesting and feeding their young. Both parents participate in foraging for insects to feed their young.
As fall and winter approach and insect populations decline, chipping sparrows transition to a predominantly seed-based diet. They form larger flocks during the colder months, foraging together for seeds on the ground. To survive the winter, a single chipping sparrow can consume a substantial amount of seeds, potentially over two pounds, which is more than 70 times its body weight. This seasonal flexibility ensures their nutritional needs are met year-round.
Foods at Bird Feeders
Chipping sparrows are frequent visitors to backyard bird feeders, especially those that cater to their ground-foraging habits. They show a strong preference for white proso millet, often considering it their favorite food. They also readily consume finely cracked corn and hulled sunflower seeds, including black oil sunflower seeds. Other foods they may eat from feeders include suet, scratch feed, peanut hearts, and crushed pecans.
Due to their natural foraging behavior, chipping sparrows prefer feeders placed near the ground. They are often seen eating seeds scattered directly on the ground or from low-platform feeders and tray feeders. While they will use elevated feeders, providing food on the ground or in feeders close to it can significantly attract these birds to a backyard.