Savannah Sparrow

Quick Take

• There's one split-second visual clue that tells a Savannah sparrow apart from a nearly identical lookalike, though most birders miss it at first. Compare the lookalikes →
• A mother Savannah sparrow faces a near-impossible feeding demand just to keep her chicks alive, and the number required is almost too hard to believe. See chick-rearing demands →
• Their ground-level nests solve one problem but create a vulnerability that snakes exploit with alarming ease. How ground nests invite snakes →
• This bird's own food supply has quietly become one of its biggest threats, and the reason has nothing to do with scarcity. See the pesticide threat →

Savannah sparrows are small, lively birds found throughout North America. They eat beetles, caterpillars, flies, and other insects as well as seeds. This bird is recognized by the distinctive yellow stripe above each of its eyes. There are 17 subspecies of this sparrow.

3 Amazing Facts

• This bird was first recorded in Savannah, Georgia.
• It is a fast runner.
• It is one of many sparrows that spend the summer season in Maine.

Where to Find Savannah Sparrows

These sparrows live throughout North America, specifically in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The best time to see these birds is in the spring.

Someone living in the midwestern United States is likely to see a lot of these birds beginning in late February as they prepare to breed. Someone in a northern state such as Alaska is likely to spot these birds in late May at the beginning of their breeding season. Maine is a popular place for these sparrows, along with many other types of sparrows, in the summertime.

Grasslands, meadows, and prairies are the best places to observe these birds. Their habitat has a temperate to tropical climate. Bird watchers appreciate these birds because they can be found perched out in the open. Plus, they have a distinctive call that sounds like tsip-tsip-tsip.

Nests

Once a male establishes his territory, his unique call signals other males to stay away. These birds build their nests on the ground. They position the nest within or under a gathering of decaying vegetation. The entrance to the nesting area takes the shape of a tunnel. The nest itself is built by the female sparrow and has a cup-like shape. It is made of twigs and lined with grass.

Classification and Scientific Name

The Savannah sparrow’s scientific name is Passerculus sandwichensis. The Savannah sparrow gets its name because one of the first known specimens of this bird was found in the city of Savannah, Georgia. It’s in the Passerellidae family and the class Aves.

There are 17 subspecies of this bird. Some of these are:

• Passerculus sandwichensis labradorius
• Passerculus sandwichensis oblitus
• Passerculus sandwichensis brooksi

Size, Appearance & Behavior

These birds have a mixture of dark brown, tan, and gray feathers on their wings. Their breasts are white with dark streaks. They are notable for having a yellow stripe above each eye.

This bird ranges from four to seven inches in length. Its weight range is 0.53 ounces up to one ounce. This bird’s wingspan is seven to nine inches.

Its dark feathers help it to blend in with the vegetation in its habitat. This small bird can fly at speeds of up to 50mph, so it can sometimes escape predators.

Migration Pattern & Timing

Some of these sparrows stay in the same area year-round, while others migrate.

Some of these birds living on the coasts of California and Mexico remain there all year. Alternatively, Savannah sparrows living in areas of the eastern part of the United States such as Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire spend the summer in those states. However, they move farther south in the fall season, so they can winter in warmer locations.

The spring breeding season for this bird begins in late February. Those that migrate south for the winter begin their flight sometime in September.

Savannah Sparrow vs Song Sparrow

A quick glance at these two birds may fool you into thinking you’re seeing the same sparrow. But while they share some commonalities, the Savannah sparrow and the song sparrow have many differences.

One of their similarities relates to their size. Both sparrows can be up to seven inches long and weigh up to one ounce. Plus, they both have white breasts featuring dark streaks or spots. Their wings display very similar coloration with brown or gray feathers streaked with a darker brown or black. As a note, if you see a yellow stripe above each eye, it’s a Savannah sparrow.

Another similarity is that these sparrows both make their home in North America. Both birds reside in certain states throughout the year, while some individuals of each species migrate when the weather turns cold.

One of the main differences involves habitat. These birds live in prairies, meadows, grasslands, and salt marshes. Alternatively, song sparrows have a wider range of habitats, from deserts to city parks. So, you’re more likely to see a song sparrow in your backyard.

A second difference involves their songs. A Savannah sparrow makes a tsip-tsip call, while a song sparrow’s call sounds more like chimp-chimp.

Diet

These sparrows are omnivores. Whether they eat more vegetation or insects depends on the season.

What does a Savannah sparrow eat?

These birds eat beetles, caterpillars, flies, and seeds. If this bird eats an insect that has ingested poison, it can make the sparrow sick or kill it.

Predators, Threats, and Conservation Status

These tiny birds weigh a single ounce at their heaviest. So, it’s not surprising they have predators of many types.

What eats Savannah sparrows?

Snakes, birds of prey, and cats can eat Savannah sparrows. A snake can easily prey on a nest of Savannah sparrows because the nests are built on the ground. Furthermore, birds of prey have no problem diving from high in the air to capture this sparrow.

Savannah sparrows are considered Least Concern by conservationists but are decreasing in number. This decline is likely due to the loss of their meadow and marsh habitats, as well as the ingestion of pesticides via the insects they eat.

Some protected areas have been established for Savannah sparrows, making it easier for them to breed.

Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan

Savannah sparrows start their breeding season in late February. While some of these sparrows form permanent pairs, other males mate with several females in the spring.

The male establishes a territory where the female builds the nest. It’s constructed beneath decaying plants.

Females can lay from two to six eggs, but most of these birds lay four. The eggs hatch in ten to 13 days. The female Savannah sparrow is usually the one to feed her young, though sometimes the male helps. She must consume food totaling ten times her body weight to have enough energy for both herself and her chicks!

These sparrows feed and care for their chicks for three weeks. After that, the chicks can leave the nest to live independently.

Population

The population of this bird is estimated at 170 million individuals. They are recorded as Least Concern but their population continues to decline.