# Savannah Sparrow (*Passerculus sandwichensis*) The Savannah Sparrow is a small bird with a cheerful song. It has a brown and white body that helps it blend into grasslands where it lives. These birds love to hop around and search for seeds and insects to eat. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 33 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Savannah Sparrow](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Passerculus_sandwichensis_crop.jpg&width=800) Photo: Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Passerculus_sandwichensis_crop.jpg) ## Appearance The Savannah Sparrow has a streaky brown body with a pale belly and distinct yellow patches above its eyes. Its short tail and pinkish legs help it blend into grassy habitats, making it appear somewhat stocky. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Passerellidae - **Genus:** Passerculus ## Interesting facts - Some Savannah Sparrows migrate thousands of kilometers, from Alaska to Mexico! - Their "tsip, tsip, tsip, tseeee-tsay" song is one of the easiest to identify! - These ground nesters sometimes lay their eggs right in a cow footprint! - Young sparrows can leave their hidden nest only 7-14 days after hatching! ## Special abilities - **Grassland Ghost Cloak:** Savannah Sparrow has streaky brown feathers that help them disappear into tall grasses. - **Hidden Nest Builder:** Savannah Sparrow can weave its nest on the ground, making it almost invisible to predators. - **Insect Snatcher:** Savannah Sparrow can swiftly catch small insects and spiders hiding among plants. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 11-14 cm - **Wingspan:** 18-23 cm - **Weight:** 0.015-0.028 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-7 years - **Speed:** 45 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-6 - **Incubation:** 10-13 days - **Migration Distance:** 4000 km ## Diet & Feeding Savannah Sparrows enjoy eating tiny seeds and juicy insects found in grassy fields. - **Age differences:** Young birds eat mostly insects; adults eat more seeds. - **Primary Foods:** grass seeds, weed seeds, beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, spiders - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — preys on eggs and nestlings. - **Eaten by:** [Sharp-shinned Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sharp-shinned-hawk) (*Accipiter striatus*) — hunts adult sparrows. - **Eats:** [Kentucky Bluegrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kentucky-bluegrass) (*Poa pratensis*) — consumes seeds from this common grass. - **Eats:** Seven-spotted Ladybug (*Coccinella septempunctata*) — forages for beetles and other insects. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and be quiet so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Savannah Sparrow? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Savannah Sparrow? 11-14 cm ### What is Savannah Sparrow's wingspan? 18-23 cm ### How much does Savannah Sparrow weigh? 0.015-0.028 kg ### How long does Savannah Sparrow live? 2-7 years ### How fast can Savannah Sparrow move? 45 km/h ### What does Savannah Sparrow eat? Savannah Sparrows enjoy eating tiny seeds and juicy insects found in grassy fields. ### Where is Savannah Sparrow usually found? Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Columbia Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/columbia-canal) — South Carolina, US · Historic Site - [Compo–Owenoke Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/compo-owenoke-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Downtown Ossining Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-ossining-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Durso Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/durso-park) — Illinois, US · Park - [Eden Landing Ecological Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/eden-landing-ecological-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Loop Retail Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/loop-retail-historic-district) — Illinois, US · Historic District [View all places to see Savannah Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/savannah-sparrow) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Savannah Sparrow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/savannah-sparrow)