Nelson's Sparrow

Ammospiza nelsoni

Nelson's Sparrow is a small, secretive bird found in coastal marshes and wetlands of North America. It has a streaked brown back, gray face, and a distinctive orange-yellow wash on its breast. During the breeding season, males sing from dense vegetation to attract females. They build cup-shaped nests on the ground and lay a clutch of 3-5 eggs. Nelson's Sparrows forage for insects, seeds, and small crustaceans in the dense marsh vegetation. This species faces threats from habitat loss and degradation of coastal wetlands.

Habitat: Coastal marshes and wetlands