General Description: Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) are large sparrows with dark colors (gray and brown), heavy streaking on the breast and back, and a large, dark spot in the center of the breast (central spot). There are two gray stripes on the side of the face separated by a red stripe. The wings and tail can be red.

Song Sparrows differ slightly among subspecies, but they all tend to be red with gray stripes on the head. Note that some photos here show gray birds, while others show red birds.

Song Sparrows can be confused with Fox Sparrows. However, the back of a Song Sparrow is streaked, while that of a Fox Sparrow is solid.

Taxonomy: Passeriformes, Emberizidae.

Song Sparrow are one of the most polytypic bird species in North America, with 25 subspecies organized into 5 groups. The groups differ in size and coloration, and of course, song. Some have very limited distributions. Northern populations are migratory, while southern populations are resident. During winter, sedentary and migratory populations mix.

Favored Habitat: Wet, shrubby places.

Where to Find: Willow Springs at Red Rock Canyon NCA, the Henderson Ponds, and the "desert marsh" along the Riverside Walk in Zion National Park.

Comments: True to the name, Song Sparrows sing delightfully.