Sparrows of North Dakota
Unstreaked Sparrows
5. Swamp Sparrow
- Melospiza georgiana
- Length-5 3/4 inches
- BREEDING SPECIES
Closely related to song and Lincoln's sparrow but has no streaking on breast.
Overall dark appearance with the top of the head a chestnut color, white throat
and a light gray breast. Cheek is gray in adult birds. Wings are a reddish color.
Sexes alike. Found north and east of the Missouri River in wetlands where water
is ankle to waist deep. Uncommon and local. Feeds by wading in shallow water
picking up insects and seeds of sedges, weeds and grasses. Often builds nest
in cattail stalks. Nest made of dead marsh grasses.
Previous Sparrow -- Grasshopper Sparrow (
Ammodramus
savannarum)
Return to Sparrow List
Next Sparrow -- White-crowned Sparrow (
Zonotrichia
leucophrys)
