Vesper Sparrow Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesVesper Sparrow
Adult
Medium to large sparrow with fairly small bill. Prominent white eyering and white outer tail feathers.
© Simon Boivin / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, May 17, 2020Adult
Song consists of two to four long, clear whistles, followed by musical slurs and trills. Note prominent eyering.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, June 12, 2011Adult
Medium to large sparrow with streaked breast, white eyering, white outer tail feathers. Rufous patch at shoulder is usually hard to see in the field.
© Brad Imhoff / Macaulay LibraryOhio, April 19, 2017Adult
Medium to large sparrow with small bill and round head. Prominent white eyering. Rufous patch at shoulder is often hard to see in the field.
© Owen Sinkus / Macaulay LibraryNew Mexico, September 19, 2020Adult
Fairly large sparrow of grasslands and fields. White eyering and pale spot outlined in dark just below and behind eye create distinctive face pattern.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, April 03, 2012Habitat
Occurs in open habitats including prairie, grasslands, agricultural areas, sagebrush, old fields, and wooded edges.
© Brad Argue / Macaulay LibraryMinnesota, July 05, 2020Similar SpeciesSavannah Sparrow
Adult (Savannah)
Savannah Sparrows have a yellowish stripe over the eye, and they lack Vesper Sparrow's white eyering and white outer tail feathers (visible in flight).
© Kirk Swenson / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, November 11, 2016Similar SpeciesSong Sparrow
Adult (Eastern)
Song Sparrows have longer, more rounded tails and are more heavily streaked than Vesper Sparrows. Their face pattern is different, with a strong pale eyebrow stripe and thick dark malar or mustache stripe, without the Vesper's eyering.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryVermont, May 22, 2017Similar SpeciesSong Sparrow
Adult (Pacific Northwest)
Song Sparrows are variable across North America, but they never have the Vesper's white eyering and are usually more streaky and have more rufous and gray tones.
© Steven Mlodinow / Macaulay LibraryWashington, December 28, 2010Similar SpeciesLark Sparrow
Immature
Immature Lark Sparrows have a thicker bill and bolder face pattern than Vesper Sparrows, with a bold white stripe over the eye and dark cheek patch.
© Neil Diaz / Macaulay LibraryTexas, June 25, 2017Search species and articles
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