Spizella pallida
The Clay-colored Sparrow (*Spizella pallida*) is a small, unassuming New World sparrow, often overlooked due to its subtle coloration and preference for dense, low vegetation. Measuring about 12.5-14 cm (5.0-5.5 inches) in length with a wingspan of 18-20 cm (7-8 inches) and weighing 9-15 grams, it presents a delicate, slender profile. Key identification features include a distinctive grayish-brown streaked back, a clear gray nape, and a brown crown sharply defined by a pale median stripe. A p...
Found primarily in open shrublands, short-grass prairies, savannas, and brushy fields, often favoring areas with a mix of grasses and low shrubs. Typically found at low to moderate elevations.
Primarily granivorous, consuming a variety of small grass and forb seeds, especially in fall and winter. During the breeding season, insects and other invertebrates (grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles) become a significant part of the diet, particularly for feeding nestlings.
Clay-colored Sparrows are active, diurnal birds, spending most of their time foraging discreetly on or near the ground. Their foraging strategy involves gleaning insects from low vegetation and picking seeds from the ground, often creeping quietly through dense cover. Males establish territories ...
The Clay-colored Sparrow exhibits a wide distribution across North and Central America. Its primary breeding range extends from the Canadian Prairies (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) eastward through parts of Ontario and westward into the northern Great Plains of the United States, including Mon...
Least Concern
- The Clay-colored Sparrow's distinctive, often monotonous, buzzy song is frequently mistaken for the sound of an insect, making it a challenging species to identify by ear for novice birders. - Despite its small size, it undertakes impressive migratory journeys, traveling from the Canadian Prair...