Bird · GBIF taxon 2491087
Saltmarsh Sparrow
Ammospiza caudacutaAlso known as Saltmarsh Sharp-Tailed Sparrow, Sharp-Tailed Sparrow
Saltmarsh sparrows spend their entire lives in a narrow band of tidal coastal marshes along the US Atlantic coast. Females build woven cup nests just above the high-water line, carefully timing incubation to hatch and fledge young between monthly spring tides. Rapidly rising sea levels and coastal flooding pose a critical threat, making this secretive songbird one of eastern North America's most rapidly declining birds.
CoastalSongbird
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Spiders
- Insects
- Amphipods
Predators
- Northern Harrier
- American Mink
- Raccoon
ThreatsSea-level rise, tidal flooding, and marsh loss
HabitatsTidal salt marshes and coastal estuaries
Life span3 to 6 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPasserellidae
- SpeciesAmmospiza caudacuta
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Harmless and non-aggressive; observe respectfully from a distance.
- What to notice
- Look for a small, buff-faced sparrow with crisp dark streaks along its chest and a short tail in salt marshes.
- Support conservation
- Maintain a respectful distance on designated boardwalks and never broadcast call audio during breeding season.
Responsible observation
- Listen for song: Listen for a subtle, hissing or buzz-like song coming low from marsh grass near dawn.
- Use optics: Scan marsh edges with binoculars or a spotting scope to avoid trampling sensitive habitat.
- Stay on boardwalks: Stick strictly to established paths and elevated boardwalks to prevent crushing nests.
Genus Member (c) Nathan May, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Predator (c) nigel, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) InAweofGod'sCreation, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) tcantrell52, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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