Song Sparrow

Melospiza melodia Wilson

 

 

 

Field Guide IDs:
NG-414; G-342; PE-284; PW-pl 57; AE-pl 542; AW-pl 573; AM(III)-262


Nest
Location
Nest
Type
Eggs &
Mating System
Dev. &
Parental Care
Primary &
2ndary Diet
..
Foraging
Strategy
F
I: 12-14 DAYS
ALTRICIAL
SHRUB
0 - 3 feet

(To 12 feet)
F
3-4 (2-6)
MONOG
(POLYGYN)
F: 9-12 (-16) DAYS
MF
SEEDS
FOLIAGE GLEAN

BREEDING:

Dense veg along watercourses and coasts, marshes, and, mostly in n and e, forest edge, clearings, bogs, gardens. 2 or 3 broods, occ 4.

DISPLAYS:

Courting male chases female, flutters wings, often sailing and singing; flies among perches with neck outstretched, head and tail held high, wings vibrating.

NEST:

Beneath grass tuft, shrub, brushpile, rarely in cavity; of grass, forbs, leaves, bark strips, lined with fine materials. Built in 4-10 days. Occ reused for second clutch. Later nests often higher.

EGGS:

Pale blue to greenish-white, marked with reddish-browns. 0.8" (20 mm).

DIET:

Includes grass and forb seeds, some berries. Crustaceans and mollusks along coast.

CONSERVATION:

Winter resident in many areas, remainder mostly within N.A. Most frequent cowbird host (dubious honor shared with Yellow Warbler); occ recognize and attack cowbird.

NOTES:

Most variable N.A. bird with 31 subspecies. Polygyny occurs 1) when male dies and mate joins another mated male, and 2) when females outnumber males. Some pairs stay together in successive years. Residents stay on or near territory all year. Female broods. Adult distraction display: runs about, wings held stiffly erect, tail depressed. Fledglings often divided, each tended by only one adult; male takes charge when young fly well and female begins next clutch. By 21 - 30 days, young leave nesting territory.

STANFORD. NOTES:

Uncommon resident in weedy or brushy vegetation near water, as at Lagunita and in the wetland area south of Campus Drive between Lomita Drive and Palm Drive. Small numbers nest in these areas. During the nonbreeding season, some (possibly migrants) are occasionally found in brush, scrub, and dense weedy vegetation away from water.

ESSAYS:

Vocal Development; Vocal Functions; Population Dynamics; Brood Parasitism; Cowbirds; Polygyny; Dominance Hierarchies

REFERENCES:

Arcese, 1987; Smith and Merkt, 1980; Smith et al., 1982.