Savannah Sparrow
Passerculus sandwichensis
The Savannah Sparrow is named after Savannah, Georgia, where the first specimen used for scientific description was collected.
- Scientific name
- Passerculus sandwichensis
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Passerellidae › Passerculus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- decreasing
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Open areas including grasslands, meadows, salt marshes, and tundra.
- Diet
- Primarily seeds of grasses and weeds, supplemented by insects and spiders during breeding.
- Range
- North America, Central America, Mexico, Caribbean
- Size
- 11-15 cm in length with a 20-22 cm wingspan.
- Lifespan
- 3-7 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss through agricultural expansion, urbanization, and early hay mowing practices.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and shy. Avoid walking through tall, unmown grass during spring and summer to protect ground nests. Observe from at least 15 feet away with binoculars.
The Savannah sparrow ( Passerculus sandwichensis ) is a small American sparrow. It is the only widely accepted member of the genus Passerculus . Comparison of mtDNA NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 and 3 sequences indicates that the Ipswich sparrow , formerly usually considered a valid species (as Passerculus princeps ), is a well-marked subspecies of the Savannah sparrow, whereas the southwestern large-billed sparrow should be recognized as a distinct species ( Passerculus rostratus ).
Photo: Bill Keim, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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