Photo: Dominic Sherony / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Henslow’s Sparrow
Centronyx henslowii
Henslow's Sparrow (Centronyx henslowii) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of North America.
Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Henslow’s Sparrow (Centronyx henslowii) is a member of the Passerellidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 12.8 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Passerellidae New World Sparrows
- Genus Centronyx
- Species henslowii
Quick facts
- Weight
- 12.8 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Passerellidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Henslow’s Sparrow is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Henslow’s Sparrow is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Henslow’s Sparrow (Centronyx henslowii) is a member of the Passerellidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across North America. Its distribution covers NA c, ec.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 12.8 g, with a wing length of about 5.5 cm and a tail of around 5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Henslow’s Sparrow?
The Henslow’s Sparrow is a very small bird that weighs around 12.8 g.
Where does the Henslow’s Sparrow live?
The Henslow’s Sparrow is found across North America with a range covering NA c, ec, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Henslow’s Sparrow belong to?
The Henslow’s Sparrow (Centronyx henslowii) belongs to the Passerellidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Henslow’s Sparrow eat?
The Henslow’s Sparrow is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Henslow’s Sparrow migrate?
The Henslow’s Sparrow is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Henslow’s Sparrow endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Henslow’s Sparrow make?
1 real field recording of the Henslow’s Sparrow — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Passerellidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.