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fox sparrow

American  

noun

  1. a North American sparrow, Passerella iliaca, having a bright rufous tail and streaked breast.


Etymology

Origin of fox sparrow

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Zink said, for instance, that the spotted owl is three species, and the fox sparrow is four.

From Washington Times Jan. 7, 2017

A multitude of other birds feasted too, during a December snow shower: varied thrush, fox sparrow and more.

From Seattle Times Dec. 28, 2016

We have marked the fox sparrow as being a great scratcher among dead leaves.

From The Log of the Sun A Chronicle of Nature's Year by Beebe, William

Before the last fox sparrow goes, the hermit 77 thrush comes, and these birds, alike in certain superficialities, but so actually unrelated, for a time seek their food in the same grove.

From The Log of the Sun A Chronicle of Nature's Year by Beebe, William

One afternoon I stood still while a fox sparrow and a song sparrow sang alternately on either side of me, both exceptionally good vocalists, and each doing his best.

From Birds in the Bush by Torrey, Bradford

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