Adult © Sean Fitzgerald
Adult © Cameron Eckert
Adult © Steven Mlodinow
Adult © Anonymous
+ 6
Adult © Steven Mlodinow
Adult © Steven Mlodinow
Juvenile © Jay McGowan
Adult © Ian Hearn
Habitat © Ian Hearn

Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia

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Identification

POWERED BY MERLIN

One of the most common and widespread sparrows in North America. Fairly large with a long, rounded tail. Overall coarsely patterned with gray and brown, usually with more reddish-brown wings and tail. Look especially for thick brown streaks on the underparts and a broad dark mustache stripe. Significant variation in plumage geographically: relatively pale and rusty in the southwestern U.S.; blacker streaking in California; overall dusky in the Pacific Northwest. Larger, longer-tailed and usually more rusty than Savannah Sparrow. Found in a variety of scrubby habitats both near and far from human development, especially edges of fields, often near water. Listen for husky "chimp" calls and melodic song with chips and trills.

POWERED BY MERLIN