Swamp Sparrow

Melospiza georgiana

The Swamp Sparrow is a small, brown bird that loves to live in wet areas like marshes and swamps. They have a sweet, chirpy song that can brighten your day!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Swamp Sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow with a striking reddish-brown cap and streaked back. It has a plain gray face and unstreaked gray chest, distinguishing it from other sparrows with its clean, marsh-adapted look.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyPasserellidaeGenusMelospiza

Swamp Sparrow

Interesting facts

Swamp Sparrows often use old nests from other birds as a base for their own.

Their chinstrap marking can change from dark to light during the year.

These sparrows sometimes build their nests right over water, anchored to plants!

Young Swamp Sparrows can actually swim a little if they fall out of their nests!

Special abilities

Swamp Sparrows can weave sturdy nests low in dense marsh plants because this helps them hide eggs from predators in their watery habitat.

Swamp Sparrows have long toes and claws that help them grip onto swaying reeds and move easily through soggy, muddy wetland environments.

Swamp Sparrows can sing a slow, musical trilling song that helps them communicate with other sparrows and claim their territory.

Measurements & details

Length: 12-15 cm
Wingspan: 18-20 cm
Weight: 0.011-0.02 kg
Lifespan: 2-7 years
Top Speed: 35 km/h
Clutch Size: 3-5
Incubation: 11-14 days

Diet & Feeding

These birds munch on seeds and crunchy insects found mostly in their wetland homes.

Primary Foods

grass seeds
sedge seeds
beetles
caterpillars
dragonfly larvae
spiders

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

depends on

Broadleaf Cattail

Typha latifolia

Provides crucial nesting material and cover.

eats

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Libellula pulchella

Eats larvae and adults of this dragonfly species.

eaten by

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Eggs and chicks are prey for this snake.

eaten by

Cooper's Hawk

Accipiter cooperii

Adult Swamp Sparrows can be hunted.

Traits

Feathered

Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Singing

Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species.

Camouflaged

Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.