The Harris' Sparrow can be recognized by its large size, pink bill and, in the breeding season, black bib and crown. In males, the black bibs vary in size; males with larger bibs tend to be more dominant, resulting in better access to resources like food and territory.
Harris's Sparrow
Zonotrichia querula
Photo:
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Harris's 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 Harris's Sparrow is the only landbird species that breeds exclusively in Canada. It is limited to the transition zone between the boreal forest and arctic tundra, favouring areas with scattered trees. There are approximately 2 million individuals in Canada. As its breeding distribution is largely beyond the reach of the Breeding Bird Survey, its status is best monitored through the Christmas Bird Count on its wintering grounds in the United States, which indicates a significant decline in abundance relative to 1970. Confidence in this assessment is medium because survey effort is not highly standardized. Harris's Sparrow was assessed as Special Concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada in 2017 (COSEWIC, 2017), and listed at the same level under the Species at Risk Act in 2023. The national population is below its goal range.
Migration Strategy
Short-distance
Canadian Responsibility
Population Estimates
Breeding
2,000,000
Annual
2,000,000
Global
2,000,000
Related readings
Summary report
View the 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.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Arctic Birds
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Harris's Sparrow. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/8173-n041
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
The Harris' Sparrow can be recognized by its large size, pink bill and, in the breeding season, black bib and crown. In males, the black bibs vary in size; males with larger bibs tend to be more dominant, resulting in better access to resources like food and territory.
Distribution and Occurrence
19040
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Related readings
Summary report
View the 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.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Arctic Birds
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Harris's Sparrow. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/8173-n041