Friday, May 20, 2016

Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia Camden State Park May 19, 2016


Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia

This stocky, coarsely marked sparrow is the most widespread species. Individuals are found in any low, open, weedy or brushy habitat, and sometimes in small flocks.

Fairly long-tailed, round-headed, and stout-billed; coarsely streaked, with bold brown lateral throat-stripe and central breast-spot. Soft call note very distinctive.

Voice: Song is a variable series of trills and clear notes with slightly husky quality and pleasant gentle rhythm; begins with several short, sharp notes, usually one long trill in middle of song seet seet seet to zeeeeeee tipo zeet zeet. Call is very distinctive, husky jimp. Alarm a very high, hard tik. Flight call a high, thin level seet. Chase call a rapid series of rising then falling sharp notes.


 
 

Works Cited


Sibley, D. A. The Sibley Guide to Birds. New York City: Chanticleer Press, Inc. (2000): 498.

 

 

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