field sparrow (Spizella pusilla)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 5 inches

• Pink, conical bill

• Rusty crown and eyeline (behind eye)

• White eye ring

• Gray (summer) or buff (winter) face

• Buffy breast

• White belly and undertail coverts

• Tan back with dark streaks

• Brown wings with wing bars

• Slim, forked tail

• Sexes similar

• Juvenile plumage (summer) similar to adult but duller with streaked          breast

Similar species:

The pink bill, rusty crown, and white eye ring of the field sparrow are

distinctive.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Short distance migrant
Breeding Habitat: Successional-scrub
Nest Location: Ground-low nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 3-5
Length of Incubation: 12(10-17) days
Days to Fledge: 7-8
Number of Broods: 2, occasionally 3
Diet: Mostly seeds; lesser quantities of insects

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May C
      Su - Summer: June, July, August C
      Fall: September, October, November C

      Winter: December, January, February C

 

 

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