Buntings and New World Sparrows (Emberizidae)
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) - HBW 16, p. 549
French: Bruant des marais
German: Sumpfammer
Spanish: Chingolo Pantanero
Taxonomy: Fringilla georgiana Latham, 1790, interior of Georgia, USA.
Genus generally considered to be closely related to Passerella and Zonotrichia; unpublished molecular studies suggest close relationship with Xenospiza and some of the grassland sparrows (Passerculus, some Ammodramus, Pooecetes and Oriturus). Race nigrescens rather distinctive, and apparently differs from others in ecology, migratory behaviour and nesting biology; further study required. Differences between ericrypta and nominate race slight. Three subspecies currently recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- ericrypta Oberholser, 1938 - breeds S Canada from SW Mackenzie E to C Quebec and Newfoundland and S to NE British Columbia, C Alberta, S Saskatchewan, W Ontario and SE Quebec, and S in USA to E North Dakota and N Minnesota; non-breeding from extreme SW Canada (coast of S Vancouver I) S in USA to CW California and C Nevada, also from E Texas E to S Georgia and NE Florida, and in Mexico in Sonora (rare) and Chihuahua, Coahuila and Tamaulipas S to Durango, Jalisco, San Luis Potosí and Veracruz.
- georgiana (Latham, 1790) - breeds from E South Dakota E to SE Canada (Prince Edward I and Nova Scotia), S to E Nebraska, N Missouri, Illinois, Ohio and West Virginia; non-breeding S to S Texas, Gulf Coast and S Florida.
- nigrescens G. M. Bond & Stewart, 1951 - breeds coastal E USA (from New Jersey S to SE Maryland).
- Least Concern Enlarge map
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Swamp sparrow singing on territory in Maine. © 2011 Garth McElroy Locality Maine, USA (United States)
wildbirdvideos 4 April 2011 43 weeks ago 41 sec 4.7 -
A bird singing in a bush Locality Finzel Swamp Preserve, Finzel, Garrett County, Maryland, USA (United States) (ssp georgiana)
Robert Schaefer 8 May 2007 3 years ago 26 sec 4.1 -
A bird with a striped crown, indicating a probable female. Locality Maryland, USA (United States)
Robert Schaefer 9 April 2008 3 years ago 28 sec 4 -
A bird with a solid chestnut cap, indicating a probable male. Locality Maryland, USA (United States)
Robert Schaefer 9 April 2008 3 years ago 10 sec 4 -
A bird descending from a bush to the ground to feed Locality Cape May County, New Jersey, USA (United States) (ssp georgiana)
Robert Schaefer 8 May 2007 3 years ago 27 sec 3.9 -
An adult bird perched and looking around Locality Point Pelee National Park, Leamington, Ontario, Canada (ssp ericrypta)
Don DesJardin 30 April 2005 4 years ago 16 sec 3.5
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Male gathering nesting material
Locality Saskatchewan, Canada
Nick Saunders 17 April 2007 2 years ago 4.3 -
In fresh fall plumage, weedy field
Locality Manhattan, Kansas, USA (United States)
Dave Rintoul 3 November 2007 46 weeks ago 4 -
Under a branch
Locality Montmagny, Quebec, Canada
Guy Poisson 9 May 2008 1 year ago 4 -
In reeds
Locality Île aux Grues, Quebec, Canada
Guy Poisson 2 July 2011 47 weeks ago 3.8 -
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)
Locality Saguenay, Quebec, Canada
Guy Poisson 24 June 2009 1 year ago 3.4 -
a bird perched
Locality Langlade Island, Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Georges Olioso 27 September 2011 34 weeks ago 3
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Sang once Locality Carden Alvar, Kirkfield, Ontario, Canada
Andrew_Davis 12 July 2009 2 years ago 3
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