Seaside Sparrow

Overview

Seaside Sparrow: Medium sparrow (maritimus), streaked olive-gray upperparts, pale buff underparts, streaks on breast, sides. Head has yellow streak between eye, bill. Long bill, thick base. Short, pointed tail. Short flights, alternates rapidly beating wings with wings pulled to sides.

Range and Habitat

Seaside Sparrow: Resident in coastal marshes of eastern U.S. and the Gulf Coast.

INTERESTING FACTS

The Seaside Sparrow is divided into several different subspecies that look subtly different. The last captive Dusky Seaside Sparrow died in captivity on June 16, 1987.
The two most distinct forms, the endangered "Cape Sable" Seaside Sparrow and the extinct "Dusky" Seaside Sparrow were once considered separate species.
A group of Seaside Sparrows are collectively known as a "picnic" of sparrows.

The Seaside Sparrow has a large range, estimated globally at 170,000 square kilometers. Native to the United States and Canada, this bird prefers salt marsh marine ecosystems. The global population of this bird is estimated at 110,000 individuals and does not show signs of decline that would necessitate inclusion on the IUCN Red List. For this reason, the current evaluation status of the Seaside Sparrow is Least Concern.