Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 4.3–5.9 in
11–15 cm - Wingspan
- 7.9–8.7 in
20–22 cm - Weight
- 0.5–1 oz
15–28 g
Other Names
- Bruant des prés (French)
- Gorrión zanjero, Sabanero (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- The "Ipswich Savannah Sparrow," a subspecies that breeds on Sable Island, Nova Scotia, is nearly 50 percent heavier than most other Savannah Sparrow subspecies. It is the palest race, and is found in winter in sand dunes along the Atlantic Coast. It was formerly considered a separate species.
- In many parts of the species' range, especially in coastal areas and islands, Savannah Sparrows tend very strongly to return each year to the area where they hatched. This tendency, called natal philopatry, is the driving force for differentiation of numerous Savannah Sparrow subspecies.
- Of the 17 recognized subspecies, 6 are resident or partially migratory in salt marshes in California and Mexico.
Habitat
Grassland
Inhabits a wide range of open country, including meadows, agricultural fields, pastures, salt marshes, and tundra.The "Ipswich Savannah Sparrow" is found in all seasons almost exclusively in coastal marram grass communities.
Food
Insects
Insects, insect larvae, and other small arthropods. Also consumes seeds, especially outside the breeding season.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Clutch Size
- 2–6 eggs
- Egg Description
- Pale greenish, bluish, tan, or white, with speckles and streaks. Color varies widely even within populations, and sometimes even within clutches.
- Condition at Hatching
- Helpless and naked, with eyes closed. Bill yellow; mouth has pink corners and lining.
Nest Description
Nest has an outer layer of coarse grasses, with a tightly woven inner cup of finer grasses. Located on the ground.
Nest Placement
Ground
Behavior
Ground Forager
Feeds mostly on the ground, generally alone or, during the nonbreeding season, in small flocks.
Conservation
Least Concern
In general, the Savannah Sparrow has probably expanded its range and thrived because of human-induced changes to the landscape. Coastal subspecies and other populations with narrow ranges may warrant special management priority because of their genetic distinctiveness and their limited habitats.
Credits
- Wheelwright, N. H., and J. D. Rising. 1993. Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis). In The Birds of North America, No. 45 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.