Fairly common. Breeds in scrub. A tough sparrow with many wintering in snowy landscapes in weedy fields, hedges, roadsides, and near feeders. Found on or close to the ground in small flocks. In some locations it is the only regular sparrow. ID: Large-bodied with a long tail and rounded head. It has a cute friendly expression. Gray-headed with bold chestnut cap and eyeline. Boldly patterned upperparts with 2 wing bars. Underparts strongly buff in breast sides with a rufous patch near elbow, but it is the dark spot in the center of the breast that is distinctive. Bicolored bill. FISP can cause confusion where range overlaps but latter shows less contrasting plumage, has all-pink bill, and lacks breast spot.