Savannah sparrow

Explore

Passerculus sandwichensis

Type: bird

Status:

Species Guide

Savannah sparrow

Passerculus sandwichensis

Species Type: bird

Conservation Status:

Identification

The savannah sparrow is a small, drab sparrow that is brown above and white below with brown streaking on the breast and sides. The back, nape, and crown are also patterned with variable amounts of dark brown streaking. There is a beige wing bar and the tail is short, brown, and notched. The head is brown with an obscure white crown stripe, a dark brown malar (mustache) stripe, yellow lores (between the eyes and the bill) and eyeline, and a white throat. The legs and feet are pink and the bill is a light pinkish color. The sexes are similar in plumage. Juveniles resemble adults, but are buffer colored with more streaking. The song of the savannah sparrow consists of two to three chips followed by two buzzy trills. The insect-like melody is represented as, tsit tsit tsit, tseee tsaay. The call is a mild tsip.

Distribution & Habitat

Distribution and Habitat

Savannah sparrows breed in the Ridge and Valley and Highlands regions of northern New Jersey and in the inner coastal plain of southwestern New Jersey.

The savannah sparrow is a common fall migrant in New Jersey, from mid-September through early November. Spring migrants occur from mid-March through late April. The savannah sparrow is an uncommon winter resident, found in small flocks along the coast, inland grasslands, and fields.

Savannah sparrows nest in a variety of open habitats. Suitable fields must provide a mix of short and tall grasses, a thick litter layer, dense ground vegetation, and scattered shrubs, saplings, or forbs. Savannah sparrows are relatively tolerant of vegetative succession, and occupy fields of varied ages, including those with early woody growth. In the nonbreeding season they inhabit a variety of habitats including coastal dunes, fallow fields and pastures.

Diet

Savannah sparrows rely on seasonally abundant food sources. They feed mainly on insects in the summer and grass and weed seeds during the winter. In the nesting season, they feed on invertebrates such as insects, larvae, and caterpillars. Young sparrows are fed invertebrates along with fruit and berries.

Life Cycle

A few weeks after the males arrive, the females arrive and pairs are formed. Savannah sparrows require large grasslands of approximately 20-40 acres. Within this area males establish territories of 1-2 acres. In areas of high-quality habitat, they may nest semi-colonially, or polygyny may occur. Individuals often return to the same nesting site in successive years and mated pairs typically remain together in subsequent years.