Vesper Sparrow

16 cm (6") Fairly common throughout North America. Dry meadows, pastures, hay and grain fields, prairies, sagebrush, roadsides.

White eye ring. Dark ear patch. Streaked breast sometimes forms a central spot like Song Sparrow's. Chestnut shoulder.

In flight; white at edge of short, slightly notched tail is conspicuous.

Song: may be heard as "here, here, where, where"  followed by a downward trill; similar to Song Sparrow's with 2 longer slurred introductory notes. Also has been described as "come, come, where, where, all together down the hill"

Videos

Images

Credit: Larry Bond

Credit: Larry Bond

Distribution Maps

Vesper Sparrow distribution map

Vesper Sparrow winter distribution map