Grasshopper Sparrow
Ammodramus savannarum
Also known as: Yellow-Winged Sparrow
About This Species
This small, secretive sparrow inhabits native grasslands, hayfields and pastures across parts of the Americas, where it spends most of its time on or near the ground and is far more often heard than seen. Its distinctive insect-like, buzzy song, given from a low perch or in flight, is usually the best way to confirm its presence in tall grass. Late spring through summer, during the breeding season, offers the most reliable chance of hearing males singing on territory.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Because it nests in a shallow cup hidden in grass tussocks, walking through breeding habitat risks trampling nests even when adults are not visible, so staying on paths or field edges during the breeding season is the more cautious approach.
- Wildlife protection law for grassland birds varies by country and, within some countries, by state or province, so specific nest protection rules should be checked locally.
- Observing singing males from a stationary position rather than approaching the exact perch reduces the chance of flushing a bird off eggs.
LCAvesPasseriformesPasserellidae
Seasonal Activity
456,787 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passerellidae
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.