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Le Conte's Sparrow

Ammodramus leconteii ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: EMBERIZIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

A small, orange-faced sparrow of wet grasslands and grassy meadows, the Le Conte's Sparrow is difficult to see because of its secretive nature. On the breeding grounds it usually sings from concealed perches and in the winter it rarely remains in the open for more than a second.

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Appearance

Sparrows
Sparrows
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Small, chunky sparrow.
  • Buffy orange face and chest.
  • Black streaks on sides and flanks, and occasionally across chest.
  • White crown stripe.
  • Pinkish brown nape streaked with chestnut.

Immature Description

Juvenile similar to adult, but buffier and with less distinct markings.

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Le Conte
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Field MarksHelp

  • Adult
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    Le Conte's Sparrow

    Adult
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Aitkin County, Minnesota, June 2000

Similar Species

  • Nelson's and Saltmarsh sparrows similar, but have unstreaked gray napes, prominent gray ear patches, white stripes on back (in most forms), and no white crown stripe.
  • Grasshopper Sparrow is duller and buffier on the face, with the buff extending onto belly, and lacks flank and chest streaks.
  • Henslow's Sparrow lacks orangish face, chest, and flanks.
  • Baird's Sparrow has buff crown stripe extending onto nape, less buff on the face and sides, a larger bill, and more prominent streaking across the chest.