This fractured syllogism highlights a common misconception:
– All sparrows are small, brown streaked birds.
– I saw a small, streaked brown bird.
– Therefore the bird I saw was a sparrow.
There are many birds that look like sparrows, but which are not. Here are a few of these insidious imposters.
On this page
Female House Finch
Female House Finches and sparrows are both small, brownish-gray birds that can often be found in similar habitats, such as urban and suburban areas, gardens, and open woodlands.
- House Finches have a short, thick cone-shaped beak.
- House Finches are slightly smaller than sparrows – around 5-6 inches compared to the sparrow’s average length of 6-7 inches.
- House Finches are often more active and social.
Pine Siskin
Pine Siskin
Pine Siskins and sparrows are both small, brownish birds that can be found in similar habitats, such as forests, woodlands, and open areas with trees and shrubs.
- Pine Siskins are slightly smaller – 4-5 inches (sparrows 6-7 inches)
- Pine Siskins have a thin, pointed beak.
- Head: Pine Siskins have a narrow, pointed head with a short bill.
Female Red-winged Blackbird
Female Red-winged Blackbird
Female Red-winged Blackbirds and sparrows are both small to medium-sized.
- Female Red-winged Blackbirds are larger than sparrows – around 7-9 inches.
- Red-winged Blackbirds have a long and pointed beak.
- Red-winged Blackbirds have a relatively long tail.
American Pipit
American Pipit
American Pipits and sparrows are both small, brownish birds but they are not so similar. Let’s compare some differences.
- American Pipits are larger than sparrows.
- American Pipits have a thin, pointed beak.
- American Pipits have a relatively long, thin tail.
Lark Bunting
Lark Bunting
Identification of Lark Buntings
- Lark Buntings are same as bigger sparrows or slightly larger than most of them.
- Male Lark Buntings have a distinctive black plumage with white wing patches
- Lark Buntings have a short, conical beak (similar to female house finch)
Dark-Eyed Junco
Dark-Eyed Junco
Here’s a change up. The Dark-eyed Junco does not look like the typical sparrow, but it is a member of the sparrow family.