Song sparrows beaks are a bit longer and more pointed than some sparrows and finches. They are very common and often confusing to identify for people. Their beaks are meant for feeding on both insects and weed seeds, doing much good for gardeners and homeowners.
These are slender long-tailed sparrows that are very common year round in Nova Scotia. Their black streaks with "stickpin" black spots in the centre of their breasts are distinctive. They have a unique bounding flight that you can learn to indentify easily distinguishing it from other local sparrows.
This ground feeder will hop and sometimes walk as it cleans the lawn and garden edges of ants, small worms, and weed seeds. Although some migrate further south in the fall, Nova Scotia seems to be mild enough for them to remain here in good numbers throughout the winter. Song sparrows will enjoy suet and mixed seed, including white millet, corn, and black oil sunflower seeds.
Song sparrows are common garden birds and are rarely found far from suburbs and parks. They prefer grassy edges, low shrubs, and bushes. They have adapted well to human settlements with their ornamental trees, shrubs, and parklands. Their songs are heard at almost any time of day from March until August, and they may raise two to three broods of young.