Species BirdsSaltmarsh Sparrow

Saltmarsh Sparrow

Ammospiza caudacuta

UncommonBird
Illustration of Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammospiza caudacuta)

The Saltmarsh Sparrow is an Atlantic Coast saltmarsh specialist that is one of North America's most threatened birds due to sea level rise flooding its low-marsh nesting habitat. It has an unusual mating system in which males mate with multiple females and provide no parental care. The orange-buff face and breast with fine black streaking are distinctive.

Habitat
High-tide salt marshes along the Atlantic Coast from Maine to Virginia
Diet
Insects, seeds, and small invertebrates from marsh grass
How common
Uncommon

Recent Saltmarsh Sparrow sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Saltmarsh Sparrow? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.

Get Huck — free

More birds

Acorn Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus
American Avocet
American Avocet
Recurvirostra americana
American Bittern
American Bittern
Botaurus lentiginosus
American Black Duck
American Black Duck
Anas rubripes
American Coot
American Coot
Fulica americana
American Crow
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
American Flamingo
American Flamingo
Phoenicopterus ruber
American Golden-Plover
American Golden-Plover
Pluvialis dominica