Savannah Sparrow
Passerculus sandwichensis
The Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) is a common new world sparrow found in 22 countries, weighing about 20 g. The Savannah sparrow is a small New World sparrow that is the only member of the genus Passerculus.
About the Savannah Sparrow
The Savannah sparrow is a small New World sparrow that is the only member of the genus Passerculus. It is a widespread and abundant species that occupies open grassland habitats in North America.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Savannah sparrow has a typically sparrow-like dark-streaked brown back, and whitish underparts with brown or blackish breast and flank streaking. It has whitish crown and supercilium stripes, sometimes with some yellow (more often near the beak). The cheeks are brown and the throat white. The flight feathers are blackish-brown with light brown or white border. The eyes are dark. The feet and legs are horn-colored, as is the lower part of the bill, with the upper part being dark grey.
What the Savannah Sparrow sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United Kingdom, Norway, Taiwan, South Korea, Colombia.
When to see it
The Savannah Sparrow can be seen all year round, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Savannah Sparrow?
- The Savannah sparrow has a typically sparrow-like dark-streaked brown back, and whitish underparts with brown or blackish breast and flank streaking. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Savannah Sparrow?
- The Savannah Sparrow is a small sized bird weighing about 20 g.
- Where can you see a Savannah Sparrow?
- The Savannah Sparrow occurs in 22 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, St. Pierre & Miquelon and Guatemala.
- What does a Savannah Sparrow sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Savannah Sparrow on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Savannah Sparrow?
- The Savannah Sparrow is most easily confused with the Spotted Towhee, the Swamp Sparrow and the Field Sparrow.
Learn the Savannah Sparrow for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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