swamp sparrow

swamp sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) Photo © Alan Murphy Photography

FEATURES
The swamp sparrow is about five and three-quarters inches in length (tail tip to bill tip in preserved specimen). This species has dark stripes on the back and rust-red wing feathers. The cap feathers are also rust-red. The throat feathers are white, and the neck and upper chest feathers are blue-gray. Immature birds have dark cap feathers and more of a dark olive coloration on the neck and upper chest feathers than the adult.

BEHAVIORS
This bird is a common migrant statewide. It is an uncommon summer resident in northern Illinois, decreasing southward. It is a common winter resident in southern Illinois, decreasing northward. Spring migration starts in March. Fall migrants begin passing though in September. It winters as far south as the southeastern United States and Central America. The swamp sparrow is found in marshes, pond edges, ditches and other shrubby areas around water. It feeds on seeds, small fruits and invertebrates.

​Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Passerellidae