Lincoln’s Sparrow vs Swamp Sparrow

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Melospiza lincolnii

How to recognise a Lincoln's sparrow?

General appearance

The Lincoln’s Sparrow is about the size of a common Sparrow, measuring 5-6 inches, which is equivalent to 13-15 cm. They are characterized by contrasting face colors including a buff-colored 'whisker', gray eyebrows, as well as brown cheeks and crown. Their chest is richly buff, finely streaked with narrow black lines. Their wings are broad in shape, and they have a notched, rounded, or square-tipped tail. Their colors range from black, brown, and gray, to tan and white.

Male vs female

There is no distinctive coloration or physical trait differences between male and female Lincoln’s Sparrows as they are similar in both size and colors. Both sexes possess the distinctive buff-whisker and brown cheeks making gender identification challenging in the wild.

Juvenile

Juvenile Lincoln’s Sparrows can be mistaken for juvenile Song Sparrows in the summer due to their buffy color and narrow streaks. However, these young sparrows will usually take on the distinctive adult coloring and streaking as they mature.

Size

5.1 - 5.9 in/0.6 - 0.8 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Lincoln’s sparrow typically resides in northern and mountainous regions with dense low vegetation near water, such as streamside willow groves, bushy bog edges, and brushy clearings in wet coniferous forest.

Additional range

In winter, this bird retreats to thickets, weeds, and overgrown fields. It prefers environments such as willow and alder thickets, muskeg, and brushy bogs.

Range Map

What do Lincoln’s sparrows like to eat?

Natural diet

Lincoln's sparrow primarily feeds on insects and spiders during the summer months. It consumes beetles, caterpillars, ants, and flies which provide essential protein for breeding and growth. During the fall and winter, its diet shifts to seeds and grains, including weed seeds, small fruits, and occasionally berries, enabling survival in colder climates.

Bird feeders

Though Lincoln's sparrow does not frequent feeders as often as some other sparrows, it might occasionally be found consuming millet, sunflower seeds, and cracked corn. Providing mixed seed blends can attract these birds, especially in areas close to their natural habitats.

What does a Lincoln's sparrow sound like?

The Lincoln's Sparrow produces rich, melodic vocalizations distinguished by a wren-like song, underscored by a gurgling sound. This song, characterized by a rise in the middle and sudden drop at the end, features a unique, undulating call pattern. Its typical calls can be described as a "Chirp" or "Chip," often interspersed with trilling sounds and whistles, demonstrating a variety in their method of communication.

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Song

Audio by Richard E. Webster

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

There's more to learn about Lincoln’s Sparrow

View full details

Swamp Sparrow

Melospiza georgiana

How to recognise a swamp sparrow?

General appearance

The swamp sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow with a stout build. Notable features include a rich chestnut crown, gray face, and rusty wings. Their underparts are primarily gray with some brown streaks. The back is brown with black streaks. They possess a relatively short tail and a robust, conical bill, ideal for seed-eating.

Male vs female

Male and female swamp sparrows are similar in appearance, both featuring the characteristic rusty and gray color palette. However, males might exhibit slightly brighter plumage, particularly during the breeding season, with more vivid chestnut tones on the cap. Females tend to have a more subdued coloration year-round.

Juvenile

Juvenile swamp sparrows are duller than adults, with more brown and less distinct markings. The crown is typically more streaked rather than solid chestnut. As juveniles molt into adult plumage, the vibrant chestnut crown and gray face become more pronounced. Juveniles lack the fully developed rusty wings of adults initially.

Size

4.9 - 5.7 in/0.4 - 0.8 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

Swamp sparrows primarily breed in freshwater marshes with good growth of sedges, grass, or cattails, often surrounded by alder or willow thickets, and sometimes in swampy thickets around ponds and rivers.

Additional range

They also inhabit salt marshes on the middle Atlantic Coast. During migration and winter, they are found mainly in marshes, but also in streamside thickets, and rank weedy fields.

Range Map

What do swamp sparrows like to eat?

Natural diet

The swamp sparrow predominantly consumes insects and seeds in its natural habitat. Insects form a significant portion of their diet, more so than in related sparrow species, especially during the summer months. The diet includes various beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, crickets, ants, and other arthropods. During the fall and winter seasons, the sparrow's diet shifts to include many seeds, particularly those from grasses, weeds, and sedges.

Bird feeders

Swamp sparrows may occasionally visit bird feeders, although they predominantly forage in their natural habitats. At feeders, they may consume a variety of seeds typically provided, such as sunflower seeds and millet, which mimic the types of seeds they consume in the wild.

What does a swamp sparrow sound like?

The swamp sparrow has a unique vocalization highlighted by a sweet, musical trill, consistent in a single note. Its calls are typically a blend of chirps, chips, and trills. The bird’s call pattern is generally flat, presenting an undulating rhythm. These soothing sounds contribute to the rich biodiversity soundscape of its swampy habitats.

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Song

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

There's more to learn about Swamp Sparrow

View full details

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Tap To compare

Swamp Sparrow

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Melospiza lincolnii

General appearance

The Lincoln’s Sparrow is about the size of a common Sparrow, measuring 5-6 inches, which is equivalent to 13-15 cm. They are characterized by contrasting face colors including a buff-colored 'whisker', gray eyebrows, as well as brown cheeks and crown. Their chest is richly buff, finely streaked with narrow black lines. Their wings are broad in shape, and they have a notched, rounded, or square-tipped tail. Their colors range from black, brown, and gray, to tan and white.

Male vs female

There is no distinctive coloration or physical trait differences between male and female Lincoln’s Sparrows as they are similar in both size and colors. Both sexes possess the distinctive buff-whisker and brown cheeks making gender identification challenging in the wild.

Juvenile

Juvenile Lincoln’s Sparrows can be mistaken for juvenile Song Sparrows in the summer due to their buffy color and narrow streaks. However, these young sparrows will usually take on the distinctive adult coloring and streaking as they mature.

Size

5.1 - 5.9 in/0.6 - 0.8 oz

There's more to learn about Lincoln’s Sparrow

View full details

Swamp Sparrow

Melospiza georgiana

General appearance

The swamp sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow with a stout build. Notable features include a rich chestnut crown, gray face, and rusty wings. Their underparts are primarily gray with some brown streaks. The back is brown with black streaks. They possess a relatively short tail and a robust, conical bill, ideal for seed-eating.

Male vs female

Male and female swamp sparrows are similar in appearance, both featuring the characteristic rusty and gray color palette. However, males might exhibit slightly brighter plumage, particularly during the breeding season, with more vivid chestnut tones on the cap. Females tend to have a more subdued coloration year-round.

Juvenile

Juvenile swamp sparrows are duller than adults, with more brown and less distinct markings. The crown is typically more streaked rather than solid chestnut. As juveniles molt into adult plumage, the vibrant chestnut crown and gray face become more pronounced. Juveniles lack the fully developed rusty wings of adults initially.

Size

4.9 - 5.7 in/0.4 - 0.8 oz

There's more to learn about Swamp Sparrow

View full details

How to tell the Lincoln’s Sparrow from the Swamp Sparrow

Visual differences

Lincoln's Sparrow is slightly larger (5-6 inches) with a buff-colored 'whisker', gray eyebrows, and a finely streaked buff chest. It has a broad, square-tipped tail. In contrast, the Swamp Sparrow measures 5-5.75 inches, has a rich chestnut crown, gray face, and rusty wings. It features a stout build with a robust, conical bill and a short tail. While Lincoln's Sparrow exhibits a more intricate streaked chest pattern, the Swamp Sparrow is notable for its rust-colored wings and gray underparts.

Key differences and behavior

Lincoln's and Swamp Sparrows exhibit distinct behaviors and habitat preferences. Lincoln's Sparrows favor dense, wet, mountainous regions, constructing well-hidden ground nests; they are less aggressive in territorial defense due to competition with Song Sparrows. Contrastingly, Swamp Sparrows thrive in freshwater marshes, building elevated nests above water, often from cattail heights, and exhibit strong territorial singing both day and night. In colder climates, Lincoln’s Sparrows shift to dense thickets, while Swamp Sparrows remain in marshes and weedy fields. Dietarily, both sparrows consume insects and seeds, yet Swamp Sparrows have a higher reliance on insects. Lincoln's males attract mates by singing in colder mornings, whereas Swamp Sparrows sing persistently from pre-dawn into the night.