Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow

Ammodramus caudacutus

Also known as:Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow

Explore this bird

Identification

Field notes

13 cm (5") Fairly common but secretive. Restricted to and breeds in salt marshes along Atlantic Coast.

Bright orange triangle on the face encompasses a gray cheek patch. Streaked buffy breast and sides. Told from Le Conte's Sparrow by its gray central crown stripe.

Song: trill preceded by chips; likened to hot metal being submersed in water.

Details in the field

Photo gallery

4 photos

Elliott Island Rd., Dorchester Co., MD - June 15, 2011

Credit: Matt Tillett

Credit: Wolfgang Wander

Brigantine NWR, Oceanville, New Jersey - July 31, 2008

Credit: Henry T. McLin

Great Bay Boulevard Wildlife Management Area/Tuckerton Marshes, Ocean county, New Jersey - October 2012

Credit: Brian Henderson

Watch and learn

Videos

2 videos

Saltmarsh Sparrows in Connecticut saltmarsh

Credit: Wild Bird and Nature Videos by McElroy Productions

Seaside Sparrows in CT Saltmarsh

Credit: Wild Bird and Nature Videos by McElroy Productions

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.

Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow

1 rule

Rule 1 14 criteria confidence 3

What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Very short · Short · Medium · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Pointed or wedge-shaped · Forked · 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 ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · 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 were the CHEEKS ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Smaller than a sparrow · Sparrow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Sparrow-like
WHEN was the bird seen ?: Spring · Summer · Fall
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Northeastern Canada or United States · Southeastern United States

result:149-saltmarsh-sharp-tailed-sparrow:1:1 Source: 149 Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow, row 1