Illinois Audubon Society Sparrows of Illinois Quiz

1. This sparrow is found in cattail marshes. Note the ‘rusty’ shoulders and hear its slow trill of a call.

2. One of the smaller sparrows, this species can be found in shrubby grasslands. Note its cheek-patch, eye-line and listen for its song of two to three notes that sound like an insect.

3. This is another ‘small’ sparrow that can be identified by its clear chest, red cap and line through its eye. Its song sounds like sewing machine.

4. To see this sparrow, one has to travel to specific regions in Illinois. An introduced bird, it can be identified by its chestnut crown and black ear-patch. Its voice is similar to a house sparrow.

5. This sparrow is found in grasslands. It can be identified by its pink bill as well as its song that sounds like bouncing ping-pong ball.

6. A migrant and winter visitor to Illinois, use the bird‘s rich brown color and ‘double kick’ to help in identification. Its song is a series of melodic whistles ending with a buzz.

7. Another sparrow of the fields, it is sometimes hard to hear its insect like call, but the flat head and sometimes patch of yellow on the edge of the forewing might help you identify it.

8. This sparrow is a rare winter visitor to our area. Its black forehead and chest are the main field marks.

9. Another grassland sparrow that is usually heard before seen, this bird’s call is a two-noted hic-cup. Field marks include an olive central crown stripe and flattened head with cheek patch.