Image via Macaulay Library
Fox Sparrow
- Scientific name
- Passerella iliaca
- Family
- Passerellidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Shrubland
- Wing shape
- Rounded
- Tail shape
- Rounded
Where it came from
The Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca, was formally described by naturalist Blasius Merrem in 1786. As a member of the Passerellidae family, it occupies a significant place in North American ornithology, serving as a quintessential representative of the diverse sparrow populations found across the boreal forests and shrublands of the continent. The species is characterized by its robust build and distinct plumage, which vary across its broad range, reflecting the complex evolutionary history of North American passerines shaped by glacial cycles and varying local habitats.
The Fox Sparrow’s physical design, notably its rounded wing and tail shapes, is an evolutionary adaptation tailored for its specific foraging behaviors. These features enable the bird to navigate effectively through dense undergrowth and leaf litter, where it uses a signature 'double-scratch' technique to uncover food. Ornithologists and birders have long admired the species for its complex, melodic song and its striking, fox-like reddish-brown coloration, which inspired its common name and distinguishes it from other sparrow varieties in the field.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Fox Sparrow
Fox Sparrow is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Fox Sparrow on collecto.rs?
Fox Sparrow doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Fox Sparrow?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Fox Sparrow catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Fox Sparrow is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
