Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center


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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.

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