Grasshopper Sparrow

Buffy-orange face with a pale crown stripe, yellowish patch in front of the eye (lores), fine streaks on the breast, and a relatively short, sharp tail. Sexes look similar; juveniles lack the breast streaking and have more heavily streaked underparts.

Buffy breast lacking heavy streaks, plain face with a yellow lore spot, short tail, and flat-headed appearance.

Length: 11-13 cm, Wingspan: 15-20 cm, Weight: 14-20 g

Song is a very high-pitched, insect-like trill or buzz resembling a grasshopper ('tit-tit-tit-z-z-z-z-z'). Call is a sharp 'tsick'.

Primarily insects (grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars) during the breeding season, switching to grass seeds and weed seeds in winter.

Dry, open grasslands, prairies, hayfields, and pastures with a mix of tall grasses and bare ground.

Short to medium-distance migrant, departing northern breeding areas in autumn and returning in spring.

Builds a cup nest on the ground hidden beneath dense grass clumps. Clutch size is 3-6 eggs. Breeding season spans from May to August.

Savannah Sparrow, which has a more heavily streaked breast, white eyebrow, and a forked tail. Baird's Sparrow, which has a more ochre head and distinct necklace of dark streaks.

Acts as an indicator species for the health of native grassland and prairie ecosystems.

Near Threatened globally, with declining populations due to habitat loss and agricultural intensification.

Listen for its distinctive, insect-like buzz in grasslands, and look for singing males perched prominently on tall grass stems or fence lines.

The Grasshopper Sparrow gets its common name from its insect-like song, which sounds remarkably like the buzz of a grasshopper.