Savannah Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Adult
- Small-headed and short-tailed sparrow
- Yellow patch between eye and bill
- Slight crest at rear of crown
- Crisp markings overall
- © Michaela Sagatova, ON, Burlington, May 2010
Savannah Sparrow
Adult
- Small-headed and short-tailed
- Crisp dark streaks on underparts
- Pale yellow patch in front of eye
- Long toes
- © Andy Jordan, TX, Paul Rushing/Chain of Lakes Park, Harris County, November 2011
Savannah Sparrow
Adult
- Smaller sparrow with small, pink bill
- Overall plumage can vary from paler to darker but always with crisp markings
- Pale yellow patch between eye and base of bill
- © Ganesh Jayaraman, CA, Laguna Ave, Coyote Valley, November 2009
Savannah Sparrow
Adult
- Small, short-tailed sparrow
- Crisp dark streaking on breast
- Long toes
- Pale yellow in front of eye
- © Lois Manowitz, AZ, Cochise Lake, Willcox, October 2011
Savannah Sparrow
Adult
- Small-headed sparrow with small, pink bill
- Sometimes gives crested appearance
- Pale yellow patch usually visible at base of bill
- Neat dark streaking on breast and flanks
- © Ganesh Jayaraman, CA, Laguna Ave, Cayote Valley, October 2009
Savannah Sparrow
Adult
- Small-headed and short-tailed with small, pink bill
- Some individuals are more reddish brown
- Yellow patch between eye and bill
- Crisp streaking on breast and flanks
- © Jim Paris, PA, Koch Property, Williams Twp, Northampton County, October 2008
Savannah Sparrow
Adult "Ipswich form"
- Small-headed and short-tailed sparrow
- Neat, crisp streaking on breast and belly
- Ipswich form, wintering on east coast beaches, is frostier and paler overall
- Faint yellow patch in front of eye
- © Kelly Colgan Azar, NJ, Cape May, January 2010
Savannah Sparrow
Adult "Belding's form"
- Small-headed and short-tailed sparrow
- Belding's form of coastal California is darker overall with heavier streaks on breast
- Yellow patch between eye and bill
- © Marie Read, CA
Similar Species
Adult
- Slightly larger and longer-tailed than Savannah Sparrow
- More contrasting head pattern with paler brown and silver stripes
- Streaking on breast is blotchier and more clumped
- No yellow patch on face
- © Mike E. Worthington, GA, January 2009
Adult
- Less patterning on face
- Bold white eye-ring
- White outer tail feathers
- Longer tail
- © Gerry Dewaghe, December 2008
Nonbreeding adult
- Larger and stockier than Savannah Sparrow
- Longer tail
- Boldly patterned face with white throat
- Dark gray breast and belly with faint streaks
- © Kevin Bolton, North Arlington, NJ, February 2009
Nonbreeding adult
- Larger and more elongated than Savannah Sparrow
- Longer, thinner bill
- Plain and unstreaked on head and back
- No yellow on face
- © Dave Wendelken, Silver Lake, Rockingham County, VA, February 2010