# Savannah Sparrow

*Passerculus sandwichensis*

The Savannah Sparrow is named after Savannah, Georgia, where the first specimen used for scientific description was collected.

- **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.

## About

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 ).

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/379abccd-c9ff-4b9b-ba89-c90d6eace381
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/9981
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passerculus sandwichensis
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/1429477/medium.jpg (Bill Keim, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.