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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. LXV
Field-journal plate: Song Sparrow
The Song Sparrow plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate LXV

Song Sparrow

Melospiza melodia

Passerellidae · Taxon 9100

Length11–18 cm (4.3–7.1 in)
Wingspan18–25.4 cm (7.1–10.0 in)
Weight11.9–53 g (0.42–1.87 oz)

Field marks

  1. Brown, heavily streaked upperparts
  2. Pale underparts with bold dark breast streaks that often form a central spot
  3. Grayish face with a dark brown line through the eye
  4. Rounded, fairly long brown tail
  5. Short, stout gray bill
  6. Pinkish-brown legs and dark eye

HabitatDense low vegetation: thickets, brushy fields, marsh edges, woodland edges, hedgerows, streamsides, and well-vegetated gardens.

BehaviorForages mainly on the ground, in low shrubs, and sometimes in shallow water; diet is chiefly seeds and insects. Its song typically opens with a few distinct notes and ends in a buzz or trill.

Palette

streaked browngraybuff-whitedark brownpinkish brown