Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center


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Sparrows of North Dakota

Streaked Sparrows

1. Vesper Sparrow

Pooecetes gramineus
Length-6 1/4 inches
BREEDING SPECIES

Brown and whitish mottled appearance especially on upper breast, head and back. Has distinguishing white eye ring. Brown cheek patch and whitish-gray belly. Notched tail with white outer edges of feathers. Could be confused with Savannah sparrow except is lacking prominent yellowish-white eyebrow. Most have a little chestnut shoulder patch. Prefers dry uplands and short grasslands or meadows with sparse cover. Common throughout North Dakota. Feeds on grasshoppers, beetles, worms and moths as it runs across the ground. Also eats a large quantity of weed seeds. Nests on the ground under patches of dead weed stems, in alfalfa fields, or in previous year's residual crop.

Previous Sparrow -- Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella breweri)
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Next Sparrow -- Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii)

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Page Last Modified: Friday, 01-Feb-2013 19:57:14 EST
Menlo Park, CA [caww54]