Behavior

Walking, Hopping, Etc

Little information. Typical undisturbed movement involves a hopping motion, in which both legs are moved in synchrony (Hailman 1973).

Flight

Seldom seen taking long flights (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959). When disturbed, often flies close to ground, with a nervous, jerky flitting of tail (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959).

Preening, Head-Scratching, Stretching, Bathing, Anting, Etc

Twice, Hailman (1959) observed a recently banded and released Fox Sparrow use its bill to anoint its tarsi with preening oil. In both cases, bird continued to grasp perch with both feet and bent its head down to rub side of its bill from top of tarsus to toes (Hailman 1959).

Sleeping, Roosting, Sunbathing

During winter in Bloomington, IN, Fox Sparrows roosted overnight in thick red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and yew (Taxus sp.) hedges, typically arriving at roost site at dusk (Rogers and Rogers 1990).

Daily Time Budget

No information.

Physical Interactions

Little information. Blacquiere (1979) observed 3 sets of chases, each between 2 birds, which he assumed were territorial males in a boundary dispute. Once, Blacquiere (1979) observed a long sequence (approx. 10 min) of chases and singing involving various combinations of 3 birds. Typically, during this sequence, 1 Fox Sparrow sang 3 or 4 times from a perch 3 m above the ground and then flew at and chased one or both of the other birds, which were on the ground. Occasionally, nonsinging bird flew at singer. Eventually 1 individual flew off, leaving other 2 to continue sequence of singing and chasing. Chases consisted of fluttering and hopping on the ground or hopping between perches in dense undergrowth until nonsinger flew a short distance away, scratched and pecked at the ground while the singer sang again from a low perch.

Communicative Interactions

No information.

Territoriality

Territory size ranges from 0.25 to 1 ha in Newfoundland (Threlfall and Blacquiere 1982). Degree of territory fidelity once young are independent not known (Blacquiere 1979).

Birds establish territories within 1 d of arrival on breeding grounds (Blacquiere 1979).

Individual Distance

No information.

Mating System And Sex Ratio

No information.

Pair Bond

Pairs form within a week of spring arrival, soon after males have established territories (Blacquiere 1979).

Little known about courtship. However, Blacquiere (1979) described one observation of court-ship in Newfoundland. Male sang from an unusually low perch in underbrush 3 m from nest. Female flew in carrying several pieces of dead grass in her bill and perched about 1 m from the ground. Male, singing frequently, approached female within 0.5 m and began a wing-droop and wing-quiver display, which continued as he approached. When male mounted female, both individuals fluttered their wings, apparently to maintain balance on perch. During copulation, which lasted only 2–3 s, female dropped some grass she was carrying. After copulation, male repeated his wing-droop and quiver display 3 or 4 times while female flew down to retrieve fallen grass and flew into underbrush.

No information on duration or mainenance of pair bond.

Extra-Pair Copulations

No information.

Degree Of Sociality

During winter and migration, sometimes travel in small groups (Bendire 1889). During late summer, Blacquiere (1979) noted seeing small groups of 2–6 Fox Sparrows, including fully grown immatures and adults. Outside breeding season, usually solitary or found in small groups; larger groups occasionally during migration (Byers et al. 1995).

Play

Not known.

Nonpredatory Interspecific Interactions

On migration, single birds or small groups occasionally found associating with White-crowned (Zonotrichia leucophrys) and Golden-crowned (Z. atricapilla) sparrows (Linsdale 1928a). Based on one observation of a Fox Sparrow singing in a tree with 2 singing Black-headed Grosbeaks (Pheucticus melanocephalus), Linsdale (1928a) suggested that Fox Sparrows are tolerant of other species on their territories. In another instance, however, a male drove a Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) and a Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii) off of its territory (Linsdale 1928a).

Kinds Of Predators

Fox Sparrows make up 9% (13% by biomass) of prey taken by Merlins (Falco columbarius) breeding in Denali National Park, AK (Laing 1985). At nests other predators include Steller’s Jays (Cyanocitta stelleri), and probably other predatory birds, mustelids, chipmunks, and snakes (Linsdale 1928a, Austin 1968).

Response To Predators

Parents feign a broken wing and utter a metallic “chip” to decoy predators, including humans, away from nest (Pierce 1921, Rising 1987). Adults aggressive and frequently give a loud “ check ” call when nest is disturbed (Blacquiere 1979).