NCRS - The Changing Midwest Assessment

The Savannah Sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis, is a member of the Family Emberizidae (Towhees & Sparrows) that is often seen foraging on the ground in open fields with short vegetation. It has a conical bill, a short, forked tail, yellow to whitish supervilium, a thin, white central crown stripe, brown upper parts with dark streaks, and white under parts with dark streaks. Sexes are similar.

The Savannah Sparrow is a short distance migrant that breeds in grassland habitat. It is a ground or low nester with a diet consisting primarily of seeds and lesser quantities of insects.

Identification and life history data were compiled by Gregory Gough of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center; for additional information, please visit: http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i5420id.html