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Henslow's Sparrow

Ammodramus henslowii ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: EMBERIZIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Near Threatened

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Henslow

© Betty D. Cottrille / CLO

An uncommon and famously inconspicuous bird, the Henslow's Sparrow breeds in weedy grasslands of the east-central United States. Its population numbers have declined steadily over the past few decades, largely because of habitat loss.

Inside Birding
For complete information on this species, visit The Birds of North America Online.

Appearance

Sparrows
Sparrows
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Small songbird.
  • Mostly brownish, with sparsely streaked breast.
  • Large head.
  • Short tail.

Immature Description

Juvenile similar to adult, but with more indistinct markings on head and without streaking across chest.

Range Map Help

Henslow
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Similar Species

  • Le Conte's Sparrow has bright buffy color on head; nape is gray streaked with purple, not olive-green as in Henslow's.
  • Baird's Sparrow also has buff-colored head, with a long, notched tail and a scaly pattern on the back.
  • Grasshopper Sparrow has unmarked buffy breast.