# 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! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 14 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Swamp Sparrow](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Melospiza_georgiana_MN1.jpg&width=800) Photo: Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Melospiza_georgiana_MN1.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Passerellidae - **Genus:** Melospiza ## 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 - **Wetland Weaver:** Swamp Sparrows can weave sturdy nests low in dense marsh plants because this helps them hide eggs from predators in their watery habitat. - **Marsh Master:** Swamp Sparrows have long toes and claws that help them grip onto swaying reeds and move easily through soggy, muddy wetland environments. - **Sweet Triller:** 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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — Adult Swamp Sparrows can be hunted. ## 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. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## 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 Swamp 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 Swamp Sparrow? 12-15 cm ### What is Swamp Sparrow's wingspan? 18-20 cm ### How much does Swamp Sparrow weigh? 0.011-0.02 kg ### How long does Swamp Sparrow live? 2-7 years ### How fast can Swamp Sparrow move? 35 km/h ### What does Swamp Sparrow eat? These birds munch on seeds and crunchy insects found mostly in their wetland homes. ### Where is Swamp Sparrow usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Bear Meadows Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bear-meadows-natural-area) — Pennsylvania, US · Nature Reserve - [Compo–Owenoke Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/compo-owenoke-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Concord Monument Square-Lexington Road Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/concord-monument-square-lexington-road-historic-district) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District - [Grist Mill Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grist-mill-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Kirk Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kirk-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [William O'Brien State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/william-obrien-state-park) — Minnesota, US · State Park [View all places to see Swamp Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/swamp-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: [Swamp Sparrow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/swamp-sparrow)