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Seaside Sparrow Identification

Seaside Sparrow Adult (Atlantic)
Adult (Atlantic)

Medium-sized, hefty sparrow with a long bill. Atlantic populations have a bright yellow stripe in front of the eye and are grayer below with faint streaking. Note rusty wing patch.

© Ian Davies | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, May 28, 2012
Seaside Sparrow Adult (Gulf of Mexico)
Adult (Gulf of Mexico)

Gulf of Mexico populations have a yellow stripe in front of the eye and a buffy chest with obvious streaking. Note long bill.

© Andy Jordan | Macaulay LibraryTexas, December 23, 2015
Seaside Sparrow Adult (Gulf of Mexico)
Adult (Gulf of Mexico)

Found in tidal marshes with dense areas of marsh grass. Sings a soft buzzing song that sounds like a distant Red-winged Blackbird.

© Benjamin Clock | Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, June 20, 2010
Seaside Sparrow Juvenile (Atlantic)
Juvenile (Atlantic)

Juveniles are buffier than adults, with a pale eyebrow. Juveniles also lack the rufous patch in the wing.

© Marshall Iliff | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, July 24, 2016
Seaside Sparrow Juvenile (Gulf of Mexico)
Juvenile (Gulf of Mexico)

Juveniles have only a hint of the yellow stripe in front of the eye. Note long bill.

© fide R.Smith | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, September 17, 2016
Seaside Sparrow Habitat
Habitat

Breeds in tidal marshes.

© Mark Johnson | Macaulay LibraryMaryland, June 26, 2016
Seaside Sparrow Adult (Gulf of Mexico)
Adult (Gulf of Mexico)

Gulf of Mexico populations have obvious streaking on the back and a buffy chest with dark streaks.

© Laura Keene | Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, November 14, 2016
Seaside Sparrow Adult (Atlantic)
Adult (Atlantic)

Medium-sized sparrow with a long bill. Atlantic populations have a grayish belly with indistinct streaking and a yellow stripe in front of the eye. Note rusty wing patch.

© Ian Davies | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, May 28, 2012
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Adult Description

  • Small, stocky songbird.
  • Dark, olive-gray all over.
  • Yellow spot in front of eyes.
  • White throat.
  • Black whisker mark.
  • No wingbars.

Immature Description

Breast, sides, and flanks buffy, variably streaked with dusky; belly white.
Relative Size

Relative Sizesparrow or smallersparrow-sized or smaller
Measurements
  • Both Sexes
    • Length: 5.1-5.9 in (13-15 cm)
    • Weight: 0.7-1.0 oz (19-29 g)
    • Wingspan: 7.1-7.9 in (18-20 cm)

Species in This Family

New World Buntings and Sparrows(Order: Passeriformes, Family:Passerellidae)

Rufous-winged SparrowRufous-winged Sparrow
Botteri's SparrowBotteri's Sparrow
Cassin's SparrowCassin's Sparrow
Bachman's SparrowBachman's Sparrow
Grasshopper SparrowGrasshopper Sparrow
Baird's SparrowBaird's Sparrow
Henslow's SparrowHenslow's Sparrow
LeConte's SparrowLeConte's Sparrow
Nelson's SparrowNelson's Sparrow
Saltmarsh SparrowSaltmarsh Sparrow
Seaside SparrowSeaside Sparrow
American Tree SparrowAmerican Tree Sparrow
Chipping SparrowChipping Sparrow
Clay-colored SparrowClay-colored Sparrow
Black-chinned SparrowBlack-chinned Sparrow
Field SparrowField Sparrow
Brewer's SparrowBrewer's Sparrow
Black-throated SparrowBlack-throated Sparrow
Lark SparrowLark Sparrow
Lark BuntingLark Bunting
Fox SparrowFox Sparrow
Dark-eyed JuncoDark-eyed Junco
White-crowned SparrowWhite-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned SparrowGolden-crowned Sparrow
Harris's SparrowHarris's Sparrow
White-throated SparrowWhite-throated Sparrow
Sagebrush SparrowSagebrush Sparrow
Bell's SparrowBell's Sparrow
Vesper SparrowVesper Sparrow
Savannah SparrowSavannah Sparrow
Song SparrowSong Sparrow
Lincoln's SparrowLincoln's Sparrow
Swamp SparrowSwamp Sparrow
Canyon TowheeCanyon Towhee
Abert's TowheeAbert's Towhee
California TowheeCalifornia Towhee
Rufous-crowned SparrowRufous-crowned Sparrow
Green-tailed TowheeGreen-tailed Towhee
Spotted TowheeSpotted Towhee
Eastern TowheeEastern Towhee

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