Saltmarsh Sparrow

Ammospiza caudacuta (Gmelin, JF, 1788)

Saltmarsh Sparrow, Ammospiza caudacuta, is a New World sparrow of tidal salt marshes on the Atlantic coast of North America. It breeds in the eastern and north-eastern USA and moves to the south-eastern USA outside the breeding season. It is tied to high marsh areas with saltmeadow cordgrass and saltmarsh rush, and it is most often associated with the northern coast from Maine to the Chesapeake Bay. It is a close relative of Nelson’s Sparrow and was once treated as part of the sharp-tailed sparrow complex. The tail feathers are short and sharply pointed.

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Passerellidae — New World Sparrows

Breeding range

North America: e, ne USA

Nonbreeding range

se USA