SPARROWS

Baird’s Sparrow

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ammodramus bairdii

The Baird's Sparrow is a species of North American birds in the family Passerellidae of order Passeriformes. It is a migratory bird native to the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Baird’s Sparrows are small, chunky sparrows with a flat head and a heavy bill. The tail is slightly notched and relatively short. They are generally sandy brown with fine black and chestnut streaks on the back and flanks. The belly is clean white, with a necklace of thin black streaks across the chest. The head is suffused with buffy yellow.

Juveniles exhibit similar coloration but often have more streaking.

The Baird’s Sparrows measure about 4.7 - 5.5 inches in length, with a wingspan of 8.7 - 9.1 inches and weigh about 15 - 21 grams.

CALL: The most common call is a high, “week”, “teep”.

SONG: A descending series of clear, tinkling notes and ending in a trill. The song lasts up to about 3 seconds.

Primarily feeds on insects and spiders in the summer, along with seeds. Winter diet is primarily seeds of weeds and grasses.

Breeds in native prairies of tall grasses and scattered weeds and brush. Will occasionally nest in wheat fields. Found in agricultural fields, grasslands, and prairies during migration.

Summers locally in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and adjacent portions of Canada. Winters in the extreme southwestern U.S. and southward.

The female builds a nest of two parts, an outer layer of grass and stems and an inner layer of fine, narrow-leafed grasses. Sometimes fur is incorporated into the inner layer.

The female lays 4 - 5 grayish-white eggs with brown spots and blotches. Incubation period lasts for about 11 - 12 days, nestling period 8 - 11 days.

SOURCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org
https://www.allaboutbirds.org
https://www.sdakotabirds.com