Photo: Chrissy McClarren and Andy Reago / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Nelson’s Sparrow
Ammospiza nelsoni
Nelson's Sparrow (Ammospiza nelsoni) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of North America.
Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Nelson’s Sparrow (Ammospiza nelsoni) is a member of the Passerellidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 15.1 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Passerellidae New World Sparrows
- Genus Ammospiza
- Species nelsoni
Quick facts
- Weight
- 15.1 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Passerellidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Nelson’s Sparrow is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Nelson’s Sparrow is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Nelson’s Sparrow (Ammospiza nelsoni) is a species of bird in the Passerellidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It is found across North America. Its distribution covers NA Canada and n USA.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 15.1 g, with a wing length of about 5.6 cm and a tail of around 4.8 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 2.6 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Nelson’s Sparrow?
The Nelson’s Sparrow is a small bird that weighs around 15.1 g.
Where does the Nelson’s Sparrow live?
The Nelson’s Sparrow is found across North America with a range covering NA Canada and n USA, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Nelson’s Sparrow belong to?
The Nelson’s Sparrow (Ammospiza nelsoni) belongs to the Passerellidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Nelson’s Sparrow eat?
The Nelson’s Sparrow is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Nelson’s Sparrow migrate?
The Nelson’s Sparrow is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Nelson’s Sparrow endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Nelson’s Sparrow make?
1 real field recording of the Nelson’s Sparrow — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Nelson’s Sparrow's range?
The Nelson’s Sparrow has a mapped global range of about 2.6 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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