It’s really starting to feel like fall.  In addition to the cooler weather, there have been some major changes in our local bird communities.  Just this week, I’ve come across several birds that only live in the Susquehanna Valley during the winter, including Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Brown Creepers, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Dark-eyed Juncos, and White-throated Sparrows.  Almost all of our “summer birds,” including warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and swallows are gone.  Other species, like the Chipping Sparrow in the photo above, will be gone soon.

Chipping Sparrows are one of the most common native sparrows across all of North America, nesting as far north as Alaska and Quebec, and as far south as Guatemala and Honduras.  In winter they shift to the south and are mostly found in Mexico and the southeastern United States.  A few stay farther north, especially along the coast.  They’re common in the Susquehanna Valley for most of the year, from early March to early November.  A few are often spotted in the winter in Pennsylvania, especially in milder winters.

One of the old nicknames for the Chipping Sparrow was the “hairbird,” because they were often seen taking horse hair to use in their nests.  That nickname was popular until the early 20th century.  As more Americans started using cars to get around and horses became less prevalent in everyday life, fewer people saw Chipping Sparrows flying around carrying horse hair.  Over time, the nickname faded into the past.

You can find Chipping Sparrows in suburbs, along woodland edges, and in open woodlands like city parks or picnic areas with large trees.  They are small and active, jumping around on the ground in search of small seeds and insects.  They often visit birdfeeders, where sunflower seeds are their favorite food.