Savannah Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow, eastern, singing, Albany NY, June

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Savannah Sparrow, eastern race, Cape May, NJ, February

Savannah Sparrow, Belding's race, CA

Savannah Sparrow, large-billed race, Salton Sea, CA, November

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

From meadows to marshland, and from temperate coastlines to tundra, the Savannah Sparrow is found in various open habitats throughout much of North America. It varies widely across its range, with 17 recognized subspecies.

Description

• Small songbird.
• Brown or grayish-brown overall.
• Streaking on back, breast, and flanks.
• Yellowish eyebrow stripe.

• Size: 11-15 cm (4-6 in)
• Wingspan: 20-22 cm (8-9 in)
• Weight: 15-28 g (0.53-0.99 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes look alike.

Sound

Song consists of several short notes followed by two or more high, thin, long buzzes. Various calls include a sharp, high chip and a slow series of repeated notes.

Conservation Status

In general, the Savannah Sparrow has probably expanded its range and thrived because of human-induced changes to the landscape. Coastal subspecies and other populations with narrow ranges may warrant special management priority because of their genetic distinctiveness and their limited habitats.

Other Names

Bruant des prés (French)
Gorrión zanjero, Sabanero (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The "Ipswich Savannah Sparrow," a subspecies that breeds on Sable Island, Nova Scotia, is nearly 50 percent heavier than most other Savannah Sparrow subspecies. It is the palest race, and is found in winter in sand dunes along the Atlantic Coast. It was formerly considered a separate species.
• In many parts of the species' range, especially in coastal areas and islands, Savannah Sparrows tend very strongly to return each year to the area where they hatched. This tendency, called natal philopatry, is the driving force for differentiation of numerous Savannah Sparrow subspecies.

• Of the 17 recognized subspecies, 6 are resident or partially migratory in salt marshes in California and Mexico.

Sources used to construct this page:

Wheelwright, N. H., and J. D. Rising. 1993. Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis). In The Birds of North America, No. 45 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.