[scarlettsdad]

I initially thought these birds were possibly house sparrows or even chipping sparrows, but now I'm not sure. I have feeders in my back yard and these birds tend to stay away from all the other sparrows and are much more trusting, and have a different voice than most of the others at the feeder which are mostly black-necked and black-throated sparrows. The song is like a high-pitched one-note quiet whistle. They prefer to eat seed from the ground and will watch me from close-by tree branches or sit on the fence and seem to prefer my company to the other sparrows. Can anyone help me specifically ID them? Thanks!

[fugl]

Chipping Sparrow

[The Falcon]

Agree with Chipping Sparrow.

[scarlettsdad]

So my first instinct was right, then. I'm getting better at this! I'm wondering, though--do these birds normally stay aloof from the crowd? They seem to have no problem with me, but appear almost scared of the other sparrows.

[fugl]

Originally Posted by scarlettsdad

I'm wondering, though--do these birds normally stay aloof from the crowd? They seem to have no problem with me, but appear almost scared of the other sparrows.

Chipping Sparrows are a lot smaller than most other sparrows so it isn't surprising that they tend keep out of the melee for seeds under feeders. As you note, like chickadees, kinglets, goldfinches & other very small birds, they're comparatively confiding when it comes to humans, probably on the "assumption" that they're too small & quick to have much to fear from big clumsy "predators" like ourselves.