General

Lincoln's Sparrow: Medium-sized sparrow with dark-streaked, pale brown upperparts and white underparts with dark streaks. Head has brown crown with gray central stripe, and nape, pale eye-ring, and brown streak extending behind eye. Upper mandible is dark, lower mandible is pale orange-brown. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Lincoln's Sparrow: Breeds across much of Alaska and Canada, south to southwestern U.S. Migrates across North American to its winter grounds, which extend along the West Coast and southern U.S., throughout Mexico, and south to Honduras. Found in shrubby meadows, shoreline forests, bog edges, and wetlands with tall vegetation.

Breeding and Nesting

Lincoln's Sparrow: Three to six pale green eggs with red brown markings are laid in a cup-shaped nest woven from dry grass, lined with fine plant materials and hair, and built on the ground. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Lincoln's Sparrow: Feeds on insects and seeds; scratches at the ground while foraging.

Vocalization

Lincoln's Sparrow: Song is a series of trilling notes that start with low passages, rise abruptly, then drops- "chur-chur-chur-wee-wee-wee-wee-wah." Call is a sharp "zee."

Similar Species

Lincoln's Sparrow: Song Sparrow has heavier breast streaks and white jaw line.