Henslow's Sparrow Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesHenslow's Sparrow
Adult
Small, flat-headed sparrow with an olive wash to the face, a dark spot behind the eye, and dark stripes on the side of the crown. Wing feathers are rusty tipped.
© Jeff Timmons / Macaulay LibraryIndiana, April 23, 2017Adult
Flat-headed sparrow with a relatively large bill. The face has an olive wash to it with a dark spot behind the eye. The breast is ringed in thin streaks.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, June 07, 2020Similar SpeciesLeConte's Sparrow
Adult
LeConte's Sparrows have a buffier, almost orange, head and a less prominent mustache stripe than Henslow's Sparrows.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryMississippi, December 24, 2007Similar SpeciesGrasshopper Sparrow
Adult
Grasshopper Sparrows are paler overall and lack Henslow's Sparrow's streaked chest.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMaine, June 08, 2011Similar SpeciesBaird's Sparrow
Adult
Baird's Sparrows have thicker streaks on a whiter chest than Henslow's Sparrows. Ranges do not overlap.
© Andrew Spencer / Macaulay LibraryMontana, May 27, 2014Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
Compare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Species in This Family
New World Sparrows(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Passerellidae)
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.