26 Common Types of Sparrows in South Dakota (With Pictures)

Last Updated on Mar 08 2024

Sparrows are a common type of bird that can be found in South Dakota throughout the year but are especially abundant in the summer months. A total of 26 species can be spotted, with some, like the House Sparrow, being especially common and present all year round, despite it not being native to the region. Other species of sparrows are considered accidental visitors to the state but may very occasionally be spotted when they fly in from neighboring areas.

Below are 26 types of sparrows you can see in South Dakota, including information on their markings for easier identification and some information on what food can be used to attract them to feeders.

 

The 26 Types of Sparrows in South Dakota

1. American Tree Sparrow

The American Tree Sparrow migrates to South Dakota from Canada. They have long tails with gray faces and a copper-colored cap on top of their heads. The American Tree Sparrow gathers in small flocks to forage, is usually seen in fields, and can be attracted to feeders with sunflower seeds and nyjer.

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2. Baird’s Sparrow

Baird’s Sparrows are relatively uncommon in South Dakota but may be spotted during the warm summer months. They can be found in pastures and grasslands as well as prairies. They have light brown bodies, mottled with dark brown, and have dark brown stripes on their heads.

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3. Brewer’s Sparrow

The Brewer’s Sparrow is quite a dainty sparrow that is really only an occasional visitor to the region. They have gray bodies with brown streaking on their backs and heads. They are North America’s smallest sparrow and groups can sometimes be seen chasing larger predators away from nests.

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4. Cassin’s Sparrow

Cassin’s Sparrows are another rare spot for South Dakota birdwatchers, but they can be seen in the summer months. They can be difficult to differentiate from other species because they have a plain brown and gray body with fine streaking. They typically live in deserts and grasslands and like tall grass.

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5. Chipping Sparrow

Relatively common to South Dakota, the Chipping Sparrow can be spotted during the summer months and recognized by the rust-colored cap on their heads. The rest of the bird is gray and light brown. This species is usually found in woods but may also be found in some parks and may be attracted to feeders with cracked corn.

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6. Clay-Colored Sparrow

With their gray bellies and brown-streaked wings, Clay-Colored Sparrows are quite plain looking, although they have white stripes on their head and neck that can help with identification. Although they can be seen in summer, this species is usually only spotted on its migratory path from Canada to Texas. Look in shrubland areas and listen for the two-tone song.

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7. Dark-Eyed Junco

Although more commonly seen during migration, Dark-Eyed Juncos are also a relatively common sight in winter. These birds are usually gray, and, as their name implies, they have very dark or black eyes. They prefer wooded habitats and are often called snowbirds because their winter arrival coincides with the first snow of the season.

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8. Eastern Towhee

Although they are not common in South Dakota, Eastern Towhees are relatively easy to identify with a gray belly with a black back, wings, and head, with red on their sides. They are usually found at the edges of forests and can be attracted to feeders with a selection of black sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and millet.

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9. Field Sparrow

South Dakota’s Field Sparrows are migratory, although those in the eastern states remain all year. This species likes to live in abandoned green areas and because they are quite timid birds, they can be difficult to locate. They do like cracked corn and millet if you are looking to attract them to your feeder.

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10. Fox Sparrow

Fox Sparrows are not really resident in South Dakota, but they do pass through during migration. Their red coloring, which is where they get the name Fox Sparrow, makes them quite distinctive, and they may be spotted in parks and around towns.

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11. Grasshopper Sparrow

These small sparrows have gray-brown bodies with brown streaks and an orange streak just above the eye. They are seen in South Dakota during the breeding season and are a fairly common sight in summer. As per their name, this species hunts and eats grasshoppers, although it will also dine on spiders. They also have a call that sounds somewhat like a grasshopper.

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12. Harris’s Sparrow

Primarily seen during spring and fall migration periods, some Harris’s Sparrows do remain in South Dakota during the winter months. The species is considered under threat. They are typically spotted in the open, feed on insects and seeds, and can be identified by their appearance. They have brown bodies, black faces and bibs, and gray or brown heads.

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13. Henslow’s Sparrow

Although very rarely seen, Henslow’s Sparrows can be seen in the state during the summer months. The Henslow’s Sparro has a pale chest but a yellow-green face. They can be seen in wet grasslands, farms, and any other open green space.

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14. House Sparrow

The House Sparrow is not native to South Dakota, but the introduced species is now a common sight and is found in the state throughout the year. Living around houses and being quite tame birds, House Sparrows have been known to eat directly from peoples’ hands. They will eat discarded leftovers and can be attracted to garden feeders with virtually any type of food. 

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15. Lark Bunting

The Lark Bunting is not a common bird in South Dakota, but it is easy to spot and identify from other sparrows. Males are black and have a white patch on their wings. They live in grasslands and eat seeds and insects.

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16. Lark Sparrow

Common in most states, Lark Sparrows like open grasslands and they feed in summer and seeds in winter. They have a happy song and distinctive markings. The bird has a white belly. The brown tail has white edges, and the top of the head is brown and white striped. The Lark Sparrow will eat just about any type of seed at feeders.

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17. LeConte’s Sparrow

LeConte’s Sparrows are only usually seen in South Dakota during their migratory flight and typically in October. They have light and dark brown bodies and wings with peach and brown heads. They eat seeds and insects and are most often seen in grassland areas.

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18. Lincoln’s Sparrow

The Lincoln’s Sparrow is another species that is only seen during migration but can be seen during spring and fall and is a relatively common sight during these times. Their bodies are gray but they have brown streaks on their wings and chests. They are usually spotted in dense thickets, although these shy birds are difficult to see.

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19. Nelson’s Sparrow

Seen primarily in the fall migration period around October, Nelson’s Sparrows are gray and brown birds with an orange color around the head. They are found in wetlands or marshes and are most common in the east of the state.

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20. Savannah Sparrow

As well as spending the breeding season in South Dakota, larger numbers of Savannah Sparrows also migrate through the state, so they are easier to see in March and October and are spotted in grasslands where they are hunting for spiders and other insects. To attract these birds, you will need long grass or a neighboring field. 

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21. Song Sparrow

Song Sparrows are considered somewhat plain to look at and are brown streaked across most of their bodies. However, they are prolific singers and are a very common sight during summer. They eat insects and will eat some seeds, and if you want to hear their incessant singing, you can attract them with black sunflower seeds.

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22. Spotted Towhee

Towhees are also types of sparrows and the Spotted Towhee is a common sight in South Dakota’s summer. It is a large sparrow with a black back and head, white belly, red sides, and white spotting on its black wings. Ensure you have decent bushes for the bird to hide in and provide sunflower seeds and cracked corn to attract them to your feeders.

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23. Swamp Sparrow

Some Swamp Sparrows can be seen in the state in summer, but numbers increase during October as migrating birds pass through South Dakota. They are dark brown with rust-colored wings and crowns. They prefer swamps and they can be heard singing before dawn.

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24. Vesper Sparrow

Vesper Sparrows are found in South Dakota during the summer months and are predominantly brown with white on their bellies and backs. They like grasslands and feed on insects and spiders as well as grasses. 

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25. White-Crowned Sparrow

Although they are called White-Crowned Sparrows, this bird has a gray body, and it has a black and white striped crown. It is a large sparrow species and prefers grassy and overgrown areas. It is especially keen on sunflower seeds, which can be used to attract the White-Crowned Sparrow to some bird feeders.

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26. White-Throated Sparrow

The White-Throated Sparrow is a large sparrow that is named for the fact it has a white throat but is more easily recognized by the black and white striped head and the yellow blushing on its face. The bird does not settle in the area but can be seen during spring and fall migration flights and may be convinced to stop at feeders if given millet and black sunflower seeds.

 

Final Thoughts

Sparrows are small songbirds that are located across North America and including South Dakota. Some are migratory birds that pass through the state, but others treat South Dakota as their home during the breeding season and others reside in the area all year round. Sparrows generally eat seeds, which can be used to attract them to feeders, although some species do also eat insects, grasses, and berries.

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Featured Image Credit: JackBulmer, Pixabay