Photo: Wolfgang Wander / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Saltmarsh Sparrow
Ammospiza caudacuta
Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammospiza caudacuta) — 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 Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammospiza caudacuta) is a member of the Passerellidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 19.2 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Passerellidae New World Sparrows
- Genus Ammospiza
- Species caudacuta
Quick facts
- Weight
- 19.2 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 Saltmarsh 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 Saltmarsh Sparrow is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammospiza caudacuta) belongs to the Passerellidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across North America. Its distribution covers NA e, ne USA.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 19.2 g, with a wing length of about 5.7 cm and a tail of around 4.8 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 70,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Saltmarsh Sparrow?
The Saltmarsh Sparrow is a small bird that weighs around 19.2 g.
Where does the Saltmarsh Sparrow live?
The Saltmarsh Sparrow is found across North America with a range covering NA e, ne USA, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Saltmarsh Sparrow belong to?
The Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammospiza caudacuta) belongs to the Passerellidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Saltmarsh Sparrow eat?
The Saltmarsh Sparrow is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Saltmarsh Sparrow migrate?
The Saltmarsh Sparrow is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Saltmarsh Sparrow endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
What sound does the Saltmarsh Sparrow make?
1 real field recording of the Saltmarsh 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 Saltmarsh Sparrow's range?
The Saltmarsh Sparrow has a mapped global range of about 70,000 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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