Saltmarsh Sparrow vs Seaside Sparrow

Saltmarsh Sparrow

Ammospiza caudacuta

Small19 gWetland

The saltmarsh sparrow measures 11–14 cm (4.3–5.5 in) in length, has a wingspan of 17.8–21 cm (7.0–8.3 in), and weighs 14–23.1 g (0.49–0.81 oz). Adults have brownish upperparts with a gray nape, white throat and belly, and pale orange breast and sides with brown streaking. The face is orange with gray cheeks, a gray median crown stripe, brown lateral crown stripes, and a brown eyeline. The tail feathers are short and sharply pointed. The subspecies A. c. diversa has more contrasting striping on its back and a darker crown than the nominate A. c. caudacuta. Only males sing.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Clay Gibbons · CC BY 4.0

Seaside Sparrow

Ammospiza maritima

Small22 gWetland

Adults have brownish upperparts with gray on the crown and nape, and a grayish-buff-colored breast with dark streaks; they have a dark face with gray cheeks, a white throat, and a short, pointed tail. Birds show a small yellow streak just above the eye. A typical seaside sparrow lifespan in 8 to 9 years of maximum. The oldest record of seaside sparrow was an individual male which was at least 10 years old when recaptured and re-released during the banding operations in South Carolina.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: C. Ben Schwamb · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Saltmarsh Sparrow and Seaside Sparrow.