Pooecetes gramineus
adult
The Vesper Sparrow is a long-tailed species with rather nondescript plumage. The sexes are similar, as are adults and juveniles. All birds have a streaked brown back, and a brown tail with white outer feathers. The wing feathers are mainly dark with pale margins, but the lesser coverts are chestnut and there are two pale wingbars. The head pattern comprises a streaked crown with a pale central stripe, a white eyering, and a dark patch on the ear coverts. The whitish throat is bordered by a dark stripe and the otherwise pale underparts are streaked on the breast and flanks.
The Vesper Sparrow is present as a breeding species across much of central North America, mainly from April to September. Birds move south outside the breeding season and the winter range extends to southern U.S.A. to Mexico. They are often found feeding beside roadsides and join flocks of mixed sparrow species outside the breeding season.
adult
FACT FILE
LENGTH 6.25 in (16 cm)
FOOD Mainly seeds, with invertebrates in spring and summer
HABITAT Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) habitats and dry grassland
STATUS Scarce and local summer visitor
VOICE Song (sometimes sung at dusk) starts with a few musical notes, then drawn-out whistles, and ends in a trill. Call is a sharp tchip
