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Wildlife
- Birds - |
Song Sparrow
(Melospiza melodia) Y |
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RANGE: Breeds from Alaska across Canada, south of
Hudson Bay, to Newfoundland and south across the northern part
of the United States, along the Pacific Coast, and into Mexico.
Resident throughout the northern part of the United States and
Pacific Coast. Winters coastally from Alaska and Newfoundland
south throughout the southern half of the breeding range.
STATUS: Common throughout the eastern United States and northern
parts of its range. Locally common in the West.
HABITAT: Inhabits moist areas with low irregular plants, or deep
grassy and brushy vegetation. Particularly common along
waterways, seacoasts with marshes of cattails or bulrushes, and
along forest edges adjacent to bogs and openings. Also inhabits
fencerows, thickets, hedgerows, and gardens.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Moist areas with brushy
vegetation. Strongest nesting habitat associations in (1)
Coastal headland grass and shrubland, (2) Edges of recently
cutover or burned forest, and (3) Streamside wetland and
shrubland.
NEST: Usually builds nest on the ground, concealed under a tuft
of grass or bush, or even a brushpile, but sometimes in shrubs
and small trees up to 12 feet above ground, and in tree
cavities.
FOOD: Eats a wide variety of both vegetable and animal
materials. Gleans insects from the ground, leaves, and branches,
mostly during the breeding season.
REFERENCES: Adamus et al. 2001, Nice 1937,1943, Forbush and May
1955, Shunk 2004. |
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