Nelson's Sparrow Photo Gallery
Adult
Small, flat-headed sparrow with a short bill and round belly. The face and breast have a pale orangish wash. The nape and cheek are gray. The breast is streaked.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, February 01, 2014Adult (Interior)
Interior populations are brighter and have well-defined cinnamon streaks on the flanks.
© Chris Thomas / Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, October 22, 2017Adult (Interior)
A colorful sparrow with an inconspicuous, raspy song. Adult has orange on the face and streaked breast, a gray central crown stripe bordered by black, and a gray patch behind the eye.
© Andrew Spencer / Macaulay LibraryMontana, June 02, 2020Not all videos have soundAdult (Interior)
Small sparrow with a round belly and short bill. Washed in pale orange-buff with a gray cheek and nape.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, October 04, 2016Adult (Interior)
The song starts with a harsh introductory chip followed by a short, rasping trill.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryMontana, July 01, 2001Not all videos have soundAdult (Atlantic Coast)
Atlantic populations are paler with blurry streaks on the flanks.
© Davey Walters / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, October 10, 2015Adult (Interior)
During the breeding season, habitats used varies widely among geographically isolated populations. However, all populations inhabit tidal marshes in the southeastern United States during the nonbreeding season.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryMontana, July 01, 2001Not all videos have soundAdult (Atlantic Coast)
Breeds in wet meadows, marshes, and saltmarshes. Note "pot-bellied" look and orangish wash to the face and gray cheek patch.
© Davey Walters / Macaulay LibraryPrince Edward Island, June 05, 2016Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
New World Sparrows(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Passerellidae)
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