Sparrows of North Dakota
Streaked Sparrows
4. Baird's Sparrow
- Ammodramus bairdii
- Length-5 1/2 inches
- BREEDING SPECIES
Has light orange color on head with a slightly darker yellowish stripe down
the middle. Upper breast of widely spaced short dark streaks and white belly.
Two characteristic, isolated black spots within the triangular cheek patch behind
and below the eye. Has no striping patterns above, through or below the eye.
Sometimes shows white edges of tail feathers in flight. Fairly common across
North Dakota in grasslands and weedy fields. Is sought after by birders all
over the world as an addition to their viewing list since its nesting range
in the United States covers only North Dakota, northern South Dakota and northeastern
Montana. Forages on the ground for grass and weed seeds and insects such as
grasshoppers, caterpillars and moths. Likes to run on ground rather than fly.
Nests on drier parts of the prairie in dead grass clumps or under low brush.
Nests made of grasses and weed stems.
Previous Sparrow -- Song Sparrow (
Melospiza melodia)
Return to Sparrow List
Next Sparrow -- Savannah Sparrow (
Passerculus sandwichensis)
