Ammodramus leconteii
adult
Le Conte’s Sparrow is a rather pale buff sparrow overall, with contrasting dark streaks. The sexes are similar. Adults have yellowish-buff upperparts, the back feathers with dark centers that align to form dark lines. The head pattern comprises a dark crown with a white central stripe, and a buffish-orange face with ear coverts that are blue-gray and show two dark spots at the rear. The underparts, including the throat, are mostly whitish with a buffish-yellow wash and faint streaks on the breast, and streaked flanks. Juveniles are similar to an adult, but the colors and markings on the head are marginally less intense.
Le Conte’s Sparrow is present as a breeding species in its northern range mainly from May to September. It migrates south in fall and spends the winter months in southeast U.S.A. It is an extremely secretive species that would far rather creep away from danger through tangled vegetation than fly. Look for it in spring, when males can sometimes be seen singing.
adult
FACT FILE
LENGTH 5 in (12.5 cm)
FOOD Mainly seeds, with invertebrates in spring and summer
HABITAT Wet grassland and marshes
STATUS Locally common summer visitor; local in winter
VOICE Song is a cricket-like buzzing trill. Call is a thin tzit
