Saltmarsh Sparrow Identification

The Four Keys to ID

• Size & Shape

  A medium-sized sparrow with a moderately long, conical bill, a robust body, and a short tail in which the individual feathers appear spiky at the tips. The general shape is similar to a Song Sparrow, except for the much shorter tail.

  Relative Size

  Larger than a Common Yellowthroat, smaller than a Song Sparrow.

  sparrow-sized or smaller

  Measurements

  • Both Sexes
  • • Length: 4.7-5.1 in (12-13 cm)
    • Weight: 0.6-0.8 oz (17.1-24.1 g)
    • Wingspan: 6.5-7.7 in (16.5-19.5 cm)

  © Derek Rogers / Macaulay Library

• Color Pattern

  Grayish above, pale below, with rusty wing coverts and vivid orange-buff face markings framing a grayish cheek. The breast and sides have strong black streaks on a yellowish wash; the back shows white stripes.

• Behavior

  Saltmarsh Sparrows forage mainly on the ground, either in muddy openings or within the marsh vegetation, and pursue insects higher in the marsh vegetation on occasion. They take seeds of marsh plants both on the ground and from seedheads.

• Habitat

  Saltmarsh Sparrows are restricted to tidal saltmarshes.