Ammodramus savannarum
adult
The Grasshopper Sparrow is a well-marked little songbird. The sexes are similar. Adults have brown upperparts, with rufous margins to feathers on the back and tertials. The head pattern comprises a brown crown with a white central stripe, a buff face and lores, and a supercilium that is buff in front of the eye but grayish behind. There is a white eyering and the ear coverts are dark-framed. The underparts are whitish and plain except for the streaks and buffish wash on the breast and flanks; this feature is more obvious in fall than in spring. Juveniles are similar to an adult but heavily streaked on the breast and flanks.
The Grasshopper Sparrow is present as a breeding species mainly from April to September.
Birds migrate south in fall, and the winter range extends from southern U.S.A. to Mexico. In spring males sing from exposed perches, but at other times the species is hard to observe, being generally secretive and reluctant to leave the cover of dense grasses.
adult
FACT FILE
LENGTH 5 in (12.5 cm)
FOOD Mainly invertebrates, but also seeds
HABITAT Wide range of grassland habitats with tall vegetation
STATUS Locally common summer visitor
VOICE Song comprises a couple of tik notes, followed by a cricket-like trill. Call is a sharp tsip
