What Bird Is That Forum

These were seen this week in Avon, CO. I'm fairly confident is a Chipping Sparrow but I do live in American Tree Sparrow territory too so hoping maybe one of you vets can help confirm/tell me what to look for to differentiate the two. The other one I'm just not really sure. Thanks!

You are correct on the first one; it's a Chipping sparrow. On a tree sparrow, the lower mandible on the bill is yellow, not black.
https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/645144379

Your second bird is a Brewer's Sparrow. Note the long tail, entirely brown body, and no white median crown stripe like in Clay-colored Sparrows

Thanks for the tips. Never knew there were so many different sparrows until this year!

Aidian's ID's are spot on, as usual.

MtnAg08 wrote: Thu May 07, 2026 2:51 pm Thanks for the tips. Never knew there were so many different sparrows until this year!

33 sparrow species have been reported in CO, not counting numerous hybrids.

https://ebird.org/barchart?r=US-CO

MtnAg08 wrote: Thu May 07, 2026 2:51 pm Thanks for the tips. Never knew there were so many different sparrows until this year!

Charlie Spencer wrote: Fri May 08, 2026 10:48 am 33 sparrow species have been reported in CO, not counting numerous hybrids

Most birds have a 4 letter banding code but because of the large variety, and their sometimes overwhelming similarities, Sparrows are often given 3 letter banding codes. LBJ for Little Brown Job.

I have a friend who loves sparrows and calling them that is a sure way toto get his ire up

Sparrows are great birds! Plenty of them, easy to identify, fun to see!