New World sparrows (Passerellidae)
Vesper Sparrow
Pooecetes gramineus. Seeds and insects from dry, sparse fields.
New World sparrows (Passerellidae)Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineus
- Scientific name
- Pooecetes gramineus
- Length
- 5.1–6.3 in
- Weight
- 0.7–1.1 oz
- Nest
- Grass cup in a scrape on bare ground
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 3–6 eggs
- Incubation
- 11–13 days
- Broods
- 1–3 per season
Identification
- Streaked brown with a white eye-ring
- White outer tail feathers
- Small chestnut shoulder patch
Voice
Sweet paired notes running into a descending trill, often sung at dusk.
Diet and feeding
Seeds and insects from dry, sparse fields.
What do vesper sparrows eat? · Best feeder for vesper sparrows
Vesper Sparrows by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Alaska | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Alberta | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Arizona | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Arkansas | Summer breeder | May–July |
| British Columbia | Summer breeder | June–July |
| California | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Colorado | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Connecticut | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Delaware | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Florida | Winter visitor | — |
| Georgia | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Idaho | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Illinois | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Indiana | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Iowa | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Kansas | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Kentucky | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Louisiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Maine | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Manitoba | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Maryland | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Massachusetts | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Michigan | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Minnesota | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Mississippi | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Missouri | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Montana | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Nebraska | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Nevada | Summer breeder | May–July |
| New Brunswick | Summer breeder | June–July |
| New Hampshire | Summer breeder | June–July |
| New Jersey | Summer breeder | May–July |
| New Mexico | Summer breeder | May–July |
| New York | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Summer breeder | June–July |
| North Carolina | Summer breeder | May–July |
| North Dakota | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Northwest Territories | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Nova Scotia | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Ohio | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Oklahoma | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Ontario | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Oregon | Summer breeder | May–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 | Summer breeder | April–July |
| South Dakota | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Tennessee | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Texas | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Utah | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Vermont | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Virginia | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Washington | Summer breeder | May–July |
| West Virginia | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Wisconsin | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Wyoming | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Yukon | Summer breeder | June–July |
Frequently asked
What do vesper sparrows eat?
Seeds and insects from dry, sparse fields. At feeders: millet, cracked corn.
How big is a Vesper Sparrow?
5.1–6.3 in long and 0.7–1.1 oz.
Do vesper sparrows use birdhouses?
No. Grass cup in a scrape on bare ground.
Sources
- Vesper Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Vesper Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Vesper 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.