Spizella passerina – the Chipping Sparrow – is a tiny bird found regularly on campus and in the adjacent North Woods. Chipping Sparrows can be found in most parts of North America and are one of the most common bird species in Rhode Island.
Although they are primarily granivores (seed-eaters), they’ll nab the occasional insect or two.
From what I have heard, these sparrows have a developed sense of self-worth and vocation. While some individuals have been seen to pursue abstract pottery, the vast majority of Chipping Sparrows want to sing.
Just like their college student neighbors, Chipping Sparrows seem to drift along genre preferences as they develop. Adolescents appear to prefer alt-rock, while older sparrows mellow down in their twilight years with R&B.
Although no one has yet to truly characterize the Chipping Sparrow’s capacity for love and emotional maturity, rumor has it that they all feel a deep-seated sense of guilt and remorse.
With this troubling possibility, I once again implore the reader to appreciate these critters for who they are. They are colorful and musical. Maybe they just need a little bit of reassurance to truly flourish. Admire these birds from afar and be amazed by their apparent curiosity and peaceful disposition.
