Sagebrush Sparrow Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesSagebrush Sparrow
Adult
Medium-sized sparrow with a long tail and round head. The face has a white eyering, a white spot before the eye, and a white mustache bordered by a thin black stripe.
© Marky Mutchler / Macaulay LibraryNew Mexico, January 01, 2018Adult
Fairly large and long-tailed sparrow. Spends much of its time hopping or running on the ground between or beneath shrub cover, often with the tail raised.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 01, 2005Not all videos have sound
Adult
Breeds in sage-dominated landscapes of western North America. Males sing from prominent perches during the breeding season; otherwise spend much of their time on the ground or hidden in shrubs.
© Adam Jackson / Macaulay LibraryArizona, January 30, 2019Adult
Round, gray head contrasts with brown back. The face has a white spot in front of the eye, a white eyering, and a white mustache stripe with a thin black border.
© Shawn Billerman / Macaulay LibraryWyoming, June 28, 2014Adult
Often twitches or bobs the tail while perched. Call is soft and high pitched.
© Gregory Griffith / Macaulay LibraryColorado, July 01, 1994Not all videos have sound
Similar SpeciesBell's Sparrow
Adult
Bell's Sparrows are somewhat darker, with fewer streaks on the back, than Sagebrush Sparrows. Their breeding ranges are separate but the two species overlap on wintering grounds and are extremely difficult to separate.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 18, 2016Similar SpeciesBlack-throated Sparrow
Adult
Black-throated Sparrows have an extensive black throat patch and 2 white stripes on the head that Sagebrush Sparrows lack.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 19, 2013Similar SpeciesVesper Sparrow
Adult
Vesper Sparrows are browner and streakier than Sagebrush Sparrows. Vesper has white outer tail feathers and lacks the gray head of Sagebrush Sparrow.
© John Reynolds / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, September 04, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
New World Sparrows(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Passerellidae)
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