Nelson's Sparrow Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesNelson's Sparrow
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, 2020Adult (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, 2001Adult (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, 2001Adult (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, 2016Similar SpeciesGrasshopper Sparrow
Adult
Grasshopper Sparrows have an unstreaked chest and a brown streaked nape unlike Nelson's Sparrows.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMaine, June 08, 2011Similar SpeciesSaltmarsh Sparrow
Adult
Saltmarsh Sparrows are often more heavily streaked below than Nelson's Sparrows with a brighter orange mustache that contrasts with a paler breast and eyebrow. The bill is also larger than Nelson's.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryRhode Island, July 05, 2014Similar SpeciesLeConte's Sparrow
Adult
LeConte's Sparrows have a streaked nape while Nelson's Sparrows have an unstreaked gray nape. LeConte's also have a white crown stripe while Nelson's have a gray crown.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryMississippi, December 24, 2007Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
New World Sparrows(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Passerellidae)
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