Melospiza Reference Libraries

The Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) is a large sparrow and the sole member of the genus Passerella. Adults of this bird are heavily spotted and streaked underneath. In eastern and northern birds, the upper parts, wings, rump and tail are rusty and the underparts are white with streaks rusty to dark brown. Western birds have dark brown upperparts and dark brown streaks underneath. In some...

The Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza Georgiana) is a medium-sized sparrow with a slow monotone trill, slower than that of the Chipping Sparrow. Adults have streaked rusty and black upperparts with a grey breast, light belly and a white throat. They have a rust-colored cap and wings. Their face is grey with a dark line through the eye. They have a short bill and fairly long legs. Their breeding...

The Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) is a medium-sized sparrow that was named by Audubon after his friend, Thomas Lincoln. Adult birds have dark-streaked olive-brown upperparts, a light brown breast with fine streaks, a white belly and a white throat. Their cap is brown and has a grey stripe in the middle. Their wings are olive-brown and their tail narrow. Their face is grey with...

The Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) is a medium-sized sparrow with brown upperparts, dark streaks on the back and white underparts. They also have dark streaking and a dark brown spot in the middle of the breast. They have a brown cap and a long brown tail. Their face is grey with a streak through the eye. There are regional variations in this bird's appearance across its range. They breed...

The Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza Georgiana) is a medium-sized sparrow. Adults have streaked rust and black upperparts with a grey breast, light belly and a white throat. They have a rust-colored cap and wings and their face is grey with a dark line through the eye. They have a short bill and fairly long legs. Their breeding habitat includes marshes, such as salt marshes, across eastern North...