Contrary to its name, the American Tree Sparrow spends much of its time on or near the ground. It spends the summer near Canada's northern treeline, building its nest in a grass tussock or shrub. American Tree Sparrows visit southern Canada in winter, where they forage in fields and other open areas.
American Tree Sparrow
Spizelloides arborea
Photo:
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
American Tree Sparrow
Status and Trends
Distribution
Methods
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Summary
Trend
Large Decrease
Confidence: Medium
Goal
Below Goal Range
The American Tree Sparrow is a widespread and common breeding species in shrubby habitat above and beyond the treeline. It overwinters in open landscapes from the southern edge of Canada through the northern and central United States. Approximately 17 million individuals breed in Canada. The remainder of the global population of 26 million breed in Alaska and migrate to or through Canada, such that Canada has very high jurisdictional responsibility for the species. The Canadian population of American Tree Sparrow has experienced a large decrease relative to 1970, based on trends from the Christmas Bird Count, which has high precision, but samples only a moderate portion of the winter range, and therefore has medium confidence. The population of American Tree Sparrow is below its goal range.
Migration Strategy
Short-distance
Canadian Responsibility
Population Estimates
Breeding
17,000,000
Annual
26,000,000
Global
26,000,000
Related readings
Summary report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
View the report
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – American Tree Sparrow. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/abat-9y87
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Contrary to its name, the American Tree Sparrow spends much of its time on or near the ground. It spends the summer near Canada's northern treeline, building its nest in a grass tussock or shrub. American Tree Sparrows visit southern Canada in winter, where they forage in fields and other open areas.
Distribution and Occurrence
18760
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Related readings
Summary report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
View the report
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – American Tree Sparrow. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/abat-9y87