General

Bachman's Sparrow: Medium-sized sparrow with brown-streaked gray upperparts and buff underparts except for white belly. Face is gray with brown crown and a thin, dark line extending back from eye. Tail is long, dark, and round-tipped. Upper mandible is dark. Sexes are similar. Juvenile is buff and streaked underneath.

Range and Habitat

Bachman's Sparrow: Breeds in southeastern U.S. north to Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, but only very locally. Spends winters chiefly in southern Atlantic and Gulf coast states. Inhabits dry open pine or oak woods with a scattering of scrub; also frequents overgrown weedy fields and pastures.

Breeding and Nesting

Bachman's Sparrow: Three to five white eggs are laid in a domed nest with a side entrance, made of grass and forbs, and lined with plant down, grass, and hair. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Bachman's Sparrow: Eats mostly insects, but also snails, seeds, and spiders; forages on the ground.

Readily Eats

Safflower, Apple Slices, Suet, Millet, Peanut Kernels, Fruit

Vocalization

Bachman's Sparrow: Song is a clear, sweet whistle followed by a trill on a different pitch. Call is a snakelike hiss.

Similar Species

Bachman's Sparrow: Field Sparrow is smaller, with smaller pink bill, gray head, brown crown, brown ear patch, white eye-ring, and gray underparts with buff wash.