Swamp Sparrow

Melospiza georgiana

✨ Shiny — winter rarity
Winter only — roughly November through March✨ Shiny — winter rarity

The take

A rusty-capped skulker at the marshy greenway edges — winter's quietest sparrow.

How to ID it

  • Bright rusty crown and rusty wings on a dark-looking sparrow
  • Gray face and breast with a neat white throat
  • Forages near the water's edge in marsh vegetation on long legs

Field marks at a glance

Size
small
Head
rusty cap over gray face
Call
metallic chip

Where & when

Winter only — roughly November through March

Learn more

Sources