Seaside Sparrow Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesSeaside Sparrow
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, 2010Not all videos have sound
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, 2015Juvenile (Atlantic)
Juveniles are buffier than adults, with a pale eyebrow. Juveniles also lack the rufous patch in the wing.
© Michael Stubblefield / Macaulay LibraryNew York, August 30, 2020Juvenile (Gulf of Mexico)
Juveniles have only a hint of the yellow stripe in front of the eye. Note long bill.
© Mike Melton / Macaulay LibraryTexas, March 14, 2020Adult (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, 2012Similar SpeciesSaltmarsh Sparrow
Adult
Saltmarsh Sparrows are smaller than Seaside Sparrows. They are buffier and less gray overall than Seaside Sparrows, which tend to look quite dark.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryRhode Island, July 05, 2014Similar SpeciesNelson's Sparrow
Adult
Nelson's Sparrows are smaller with a shorter bill than Seaside Sparrows. They have a buffier wash on the face and breast than Seaside Sparrows.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, February 01, 2014Similar SpeciesSavannah Sparrow
Adult (Belding's)
Savannah Sparrow (Belding's) have a smaller bill than Seaside Sparrows. They tend to be paler brown overall especially on the face and neck, which are gray on Seaside Sparrows.
© Greg Gillson / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 30, 2014Similar SpeciesSavannah Sparrow
Adult (Savannah)
Savannah Sparrows have a smaller bill than Seaside Sparrows. They tend to be paler brown overall especially on the face and neck, which are gray on Seaside Sparrows.
© Kirk Swenson / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, November 11, 2016Similar SpeciesSong Sparrow
Adult
Song Sparrows are plumper with a rounder head and shorter bill than Seaside Sparrows.
© Steven Mlodinow / Macaulay LibraryWashington, December 28, 2010Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
New World Sparrows(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Passerellidae)
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