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savannah sparrow

savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)
Photo © Alan Murphy Photography

Features and Behaviors

FEATURES
The savannah sparrow is five and one-half to five and three-quarters inches in length (bill tip to tail tip in preserved specimen). There is a white stripe on the crown and may be a yellow spot on the front of the eyebrow. The tail is short with a notch in the center. The underside of the bird has dark streaks.

BEHAVIORS
The savannah sparrow is a common migrant and fairly common summer resident in the northern half of Illinois. It is an uncommon winter resident in southern Illinois, decreasing northward. Spring migrants begin appearing in the state in late February. Fall migrants are seen beginning in August. The species winters as far south as Central America. Farm fields, roadsides, marshes, grasslands and other open habitats are preferred by this species. It feeds on small invertebrates and seeds.

Illinois Range

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae

Illinois Status: common, native