Bachman's Sparrow

Aimophila aestivalis

Explore this bird

Identification

Field notes

15 cm (6") Uncommon and local. Southeastern United States. Dry open forests, especially pine or oak or scrub palmetto.

Large sparrow with a large bill. Thin line extends behind eye like the smaller Field Sparrow but this bird is smaller with an a smaller pink bill. Sides and breast are buffy or gray. White belly. Long rounded dark tail.

A secretive bird.

Beautiful song is important for finding and knowing it.

Song: clear introductory whistle follow by a variable trill or warble.

Details in the field

Photo gallery

3 photos

Hal Scott Regional Preserve, Florida - February 15, 2012

Credit: Andy Reago

Babcock Webb Wildlife Management Area, north of Fort Myers - March 29, 2011

Credit: nebirdsplus

Watch and learn

Videos

2 videos

Bachman's Sparrow

Credit: Stoil Ivanov

Bachman's Sparrow - Hal Scott Regional Preserve, Florida

Credit: Chrissy & Andy

Where it lives

Distribution maps

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 1 rule

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Bachman's Sparrow

1 rule

Rule 1 15 criteria confidence 2

What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Rounded at the end · Unknown
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: None · Unknown
Were the SIDES STREAKED, SPOTTED or BARRED ?: No · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ?: Streaked, mottled, spotted, or barred · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Uniform color · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Conical and slender · Conical and thick · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Medium · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?: Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Smaller than a sparrow · Sparrow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Sparrow-like
What type of environment was the bird seen in?: Open area: field, prairie, meadow, farmland, tundra · Desert, arid grassland, shrubs, cactus, mesquite · Thickets or shrubs · Deciduous forest · Coniferous forest · Mixed forest
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southeastern United States

result:187-bachman-s-sparrow:1:1 Source: 187 Bachman's Sparrow, row 1