Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)
Swamp Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Melospiza georgiana

The Swamp Sparrow, Melospiza georgiana, presents itself as a medium-sized New World sparrow, bearing a close kinship to the song sparrow. Observers will note the adult's streaked upperparts, a palette of rusty, buff, and black, contrasted with an unstreaked gray breast, a light belly, and a white throat. The wings are notably rusty. Males typically, and some females occasionally, display rust-colored caps. The face is predominantly gray with a distinct dark line through the eye, complemented by a short bill and fairly long legs. During the winter and in their immature state, these birds may exhibit two brown crown stripes, with much of the gray replaced by buff.

Identification Tips

To identify the Swamp Sparrow, look for the following characteristics:

  • Length: 4.7-5.9 inches (12-15 cm)
  • Weight: 0.5-0.8 ounces (15-23 g)
  • Wingspan: 7.1-7.5 inches (18-19 cm)
  • Rusty, buff, and black streaked upperparts
  • Unstreaked gray breast and white throat
  • Rust-colored wings and, in many males, a rust-colored cap
  • Gray face with a dark eye line
  • Short bill and fairly long legs

Habitat

The Swamp Sparrow's preferred breeding habitat includes marshes, both fresh and brackish, across eastern North America and central Canada. They construct their bulky nests attached to marsh vegetation, often just above the ground or water surface, with leaves or grass arching protectively over the top.

Distribution

Breeding populations of Swamp Sparrows are found across the northern United States and boreal Canada, with the southern edge of their range aligning with the Line of Maximum Glaciation. A distinct subspecies inhabits tidal marshes from northern Virginia to the Hudson River Estuary, wintering in coastal marshes of the Carolinas.

Behaviour

Females are known to emit a series of chips when departing the nest, likely a defensive measure against potential threats from mates or neighboring males. Swamp Sparrows are migratory, with many moving to the southeastern United States outside the breeding season.

Song & calls

The Swamp Sparrow's song is a slow, monotone trill, distinguishable from the faster trill of the chipping sparrow. Males boast a repertoire of various trills. The common call is a loud "chip," reminiscent of a phoebe.

Diet and Feeding

Foraging habits of the Swamp Sparrow include ground feeding near water, wading in shallow water, or within marsh vegetation. Their diet shifts seasonally, from primarily fruit and seeds in winter to a diet rich in arthropods during the breeding season.

Conservation status

The Swamp Sparrow is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, it is important to note that their numbers have experienced declines in certain areas due to habitat loss.

Swamp Sparrow Sounds


Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Swamp Sparrows on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More New World Sparrows

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
Erna M
I really like Birda
I really like Birda. I also use other birding apps and have Birda with E-bird going at the same time.
Madstherangers
A mordern game changer
Birda is an awesome app, its updated the world of birding to the modern day with a fun and easy to use app. It’s engaging and allows positive interaction with fellow bird lovers!
Hip An
Fantastic
Really enjoying Birda where I live i have a lot of Red kites really hard to photograph but I can video are you planning some place on the app where us Birda can post vids🦉🦅
Alice J
Awesome Birding Community
I absolutely love the community aspect of this app. The app is so user friendly and has fun interactive challenges to get you out birding. I’ve tried others but since I’ve started using Birda I’ve not gone back!
Dunners12345
Great App
Great app to use for logging and communicating with others who are interested in birds
JCBirding
Just what birding needs
We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Carl B
Helped me to identify more birds
Love this app and has helped me to identify more birds. The challenges and badges are great for keeping the motivation going to get out and keep birding.
Marlster24
Very Wholesome App
Joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😄
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.