SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

tree sparrow

noun

Definition of tree sparrow

1 : a Eurasian sparrow (Passer montanus) that has a black spot on the ear coverts

2 : a North American sparrow (Spizella arborea) that has a single dark spot on the breast and breeds in Alaska and northern Canada and winters in the U.S.

Recent Examples of tree sparrow from the Web

And bees aren’t the only ones—bird species like tree sparrows, which nest on the ground and breed during the summer, are also at risk.

— erin blakemore, Smithsonian, "The Early Birds Might Be Crowding Out the Bees," 15 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tree sparrow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of tree sparrow

circa 1770

Learn More about tree sparrow

See words that rhyme with tree sparrow

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up tree sparrow? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

cathexis

play

investment of mental or emotional energy

BROWSE DICTIONARY

treescape

tree shrew

tree sparrow

treespeeler

tree spirit

Test Your Vocabulary

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

When English borrows from another alphabet

alt-5ada140ed3e28

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

alt-5ad8fc71357ed

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

No, it's not a coiffure trend

alt-5ad8d3361fb97

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

You're on the edge of your seat

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally

Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz

cats-on-impossible-timber

More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

Take the quiz

Citation

Do you know the person or title these quotes describe?

Play the game