New World sparrows (Passerellidae)
Swamp Sparrow
Melospiza georgiana. Insects and seeds from marsh edges.
New World sparrows (Passerellidae)Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgiana
- Scientific name
- Melospiza georgiana
- Length
- 4.7–5.9 in
- Weight
- 0.5–0.8 oz
- Nest
- Bulky grass cup low in sedges or cattails
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 1–6 eggs
- Incubation
- 12–15 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Rich rusty wings and a grey face
- Rusty cap in breeding plumage
- Plain grey breast with faint streaks
Voice
A slow, sweet, musical trill.
Diet and feeding
Insects and seeds from marsh edges.
What do swamp sparrows eat? · Best feeder for swamp sparrows
Swamp Sparrows by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Winter visitor | — |
| Alaska | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Alberta | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Arkansas | Winter visitor | — |
| British Columbia | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Connecticut | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Delaware | Winter visitor | — |
| Florida | Winter visitor | — |
| Georgia | Winter visitor | — |
| Illinois | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Indiana | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Iowa | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Kentucky | Winter visitor | — |
| Louisiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Maine | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Manitoba | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Maryland | Winter visitor | — |
| Massachusetts | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Michigan | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Minnesota | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Mississippi | Winter visitor | — |
| Missouri | Summer breeder | May–July |
| New Brunswick | Summer breeder | June–July |
| New Hampshire | Summer breeder | June–July |
| New Jersey | Summer breeder | May–July |
| New York | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Summer breeder | June–July |
| North Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| Northwest Territories | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Nova Scotia | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Ohio | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Oklahoma | Winter visitor | — |
| Ontario | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Pennsylvania | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Prince Edward Island | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Quebec | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Rhode Island | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Saskatchewan | Summer breeder | June–July |
| South Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| Tennessee | Winter visitor | — |
| Texas | Winter visitor | — |
| Vermont | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| West Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| Wisconsin | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Yukon | Summer breeder | June–July |
Frequently asked
What do swamp sparrows eat?
Insects and seeds from marsh edges. At feeders: millet, hulled sunflower (on the ground).
How big is a Swamp Sparrow?
4.7–5.9 in long and 0.5–0.8 oz.
Do swamp sparrows use birdhouses?
No. Bulky grass cup low in sedges or cattails.
Sources
- Swamp Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Swamp Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Swamp Sparrow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.