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Swamp Sparrow

Melospiza georgiana
Passerellidae
Never far from water
Sparrows top to bottom: Fox, Song, Lincoln's , and two Swamp
Rufous coloration, blurry breast in Swamp Sparrow contrast with ...
... brown cap and thick streaks of the more common Song Sparrow
Remember. Swamp Sparrow has rufous cap and wings, and ...
... clear white throat patch
Relatively long legs enable ...
... wading in mud and ...
... in water to hunt aquatic prey
Cat-tail marshes are favored as breeding habitat
Male singing on flower spike of cat-tail to establish territory
Dried leaves and stems of marsh vegetation ideal nest material
Above-ground nest with young; clutch includes 1-6 eggs
Insects are fed to young until and even after fledging
Fledgling plumage a messy version of ...
... adult plumage of Swamp Sparrow
As expected, Swamp Sparrow lingers at SG storm drain ...
... but also unexpectedly on Upland Trail
Breeding is done so why not help spread poison ivy, ...
... hang out at big city parks ...
... or even visit a corn maze or two

Slideshow and species account to come.