Vesper Sparrow
Pooecetes gramineus
About This Species
Found in open grassland, pastures and prairie edges, this streaky sparrow forages on the ground for seeds and insects and sings from fence posts or low shrubs, often at dusk when its name-giving evening song is most noticeable. Its white outer tail feathers, flashed in flight, and a bold white eye-ring help distinguish it from similar grassland sparrows. It is a summer breeder across much of its range, best looked for from late spring through summer when males are singing.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Stay back at least 15 to 20 metres in breeding habitat, since this ground-nesting sparrow is vulnerable to nest trampling and easily flushed from its low, well-hidden nest.
- It receives migratory bird protection from take and harassment in the United States and Canada, though enforcement and specific buffer recommendations vary by state and province.
- Keep to trails and avoid walking through tall grass or pasture edges during the breeding season to reduce the risk of disturbing nests underfoot.
LCAvesPasseriformesPasserellidae
Seasonal Activity
869,574 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passerellidae
Photo
(c) Jerry Oldenettel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)
CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.