Lincoln's sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 4.75 inches

• Conical bill

• Brown crown with gray central stripe

• Gray face and supercilium

• Eye ring

• Brown streak extends behind eye

• Thick malar streak bordered by white throat and buff submustachial          stripe

• Olive back with darker streaks

• Brownish-olive wings

• Buffy breast and flanks with fine streaks

• White belly

• Thin, rounded tail

• Sexes similar

• Juvenile (summer) similar to adult but is buffier

Similar species:

The song sparrow can be told from the Lincoln's sparrow by its larger
bill, heavier streaking on the breast and flanks, lack of buffy color on the
breast and face, brown back, larger size and longer tail. Juvenile Lincoln's
sparrows are very similar to juvenile swamp and song Sparrows. Savannah sparrow is similar but has a yellowish supercilium and lacks a buffy breast. Swamp sparrow has a rusty crown, rusty wings and much less streaking on

the breast.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Neotropical migrant
Breeding Habitat: Successional-scrub
Nest Location: Ground-low nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 3-6
Length of Incubation: 12-14 days
Days to Fledge: 9-12
Number of Broods: 1, possibly 2
Diet: Mostly seeds; lesser quantities of insects

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May R
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November U

      Winter: December, January, February Acc

 

 

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