Saltmarsh Sparrow
At a Glance
A bird of the coast, named for the spiky tips on its tail feathers (which it shares with several related kinds of sparrows). Saltmarsh Sparrows have an unusual mating system for a songbird, with males simply roving about looking for females rather than defending a nesting territory.
Description
5 1/2″ (14 cm). Smaller and paler than Seaside Sparrow, with stronger face pattern. Very similar to Nelson’s Sparrow (which occurs in the same marshes in winter), but has whiter chest (less buffy) with heavier streaking.
Size
About the size of a Sparrow
Color
Brown, Gray, Orange, Tan, White
Wing Shape
Broad
Tail Shape
Multi-pointed, Pointed, Rounded, Short
