A common sparrow in the Bay Area is the aptly-named song sparrow. This little, striped, brown bird has a variety of songs and calls ranging from a dancing musical tune to a slightly raspy cheep call that to me sounds like a bit like a wren.

When I first began birding, it was challenging for me to identify this LBJ (little brown job) as it can stick its tail straight up like a wren! A key field marker is the blend of blurry stripes down its chest that frame a bigger splotch in the middle. Song sparrows also has a thick “eyeliner” behind its eye and a general brown stripy look with a white chest.

I often find song sparrows rummaging on the ground in bushes or climbing around cattails like a marsh wren. They are not too shy and can pose prettily for glamor shots. If you find one, spend a little time observing it and wait for it to sing a song.