Seaside sparrow facts for kids
The seaside sparrow (Ammospiza maritima) is a small American sparrow that lives near the coast. These birds are known for their unique song and their ability to live in salty marsh environments.
Quick facts for kids Seaside sparrow |
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| Cape Sable seaside sparrow in Everglades National Park | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ammospiza
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| Species: |
maritima
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| Subspecies | |
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Ammospiza maritima mirabilis |
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Contents
What Does a Seaside Sparrow Look Like?
Adult seaside sparrows have brownish feathers on their backs. Their heads and the back of their necks are gray. They have a grayish-buff chest with dark stripes. Their faces are dark, with gray cheeks and a white throat. They also have a short, pointed tail. A small yellow stripe can be seen just above their eyes.
Where Do Seaside Sparrows Live?
Seaside sparrows make their homes in salt marshes. These are wetland areas found along the coast. You can find them on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Their range stretches from southern New Hampshire all the way down to southern Texas.
How Do Seaside Sparrows Build Their Nests?
These birds build their nests in the salty marsh plants. Their nests are shaped like an open cup. They usually build them in tall marsh reeds and spartina grasses. Female sparrows typically lay two to five eggs in their nests.
What Do Seaside Sparrows Eat?
Seaside sparrows find their food on the ground or within the marsh plants. Sometimes, they even poke around in the mud to find tasty treats. Their diet mainly includes insects, small sea creatures without backbones (like crabs or snails), and seeds. Interestingly, they often look for food in different areas than where they build their nests.
Do Seaside Sparrows Migrate?
Birds living in the northern parts of their range often migrate south. They travel along the eastern coast of the United States when the weather gets colder. This helps them find warmer places and more food during winter.
What About Endangered Seaside Sparrows?
There are different types, or subspecies, of the seaside sparrow. Sadly, one of these, the dusky seaside sparrow (A. m. nigrescens), has recently become extinct. This means there are no more of them left alive anywhere in the world.
Another subspecies, the Cape Sable seaside sparrow (A. m. mirabilis), is currently endangered. This means it is at high risk of becoming extinct. There is also Scott's seaside sparrow (A. m. peninsulae), which lives in a small area. These were once thought to be a separate species.
What Does a Seaside Sparrow Sound Like?
The song of the seaside sparrow is described as a rough, buzzing sound. It can sound a lot like a red-winged blackbird singing from far away.
Images for kids
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The recently-extinct dusky seaside sparrow (A. m. nigrescens)
See also
In Spanish: Ammodramus maritimus para niños
