Lincoln’s Sparrow vs Vesper 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

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Vesper Sparrow

Pooecetes gramineus

How to recognise a vesper sparrow?

General appearance

The vesper sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow characterized by its streaked brown body, white outer tail feathers, and a conspicuous chestnut shoulder patch. Its appearance includes a blend of brown, gray, and whitish underparts with streaked flanks. A pale eye ring and a slight crest can sometimes be observed, especially when the bird is alert.

Male vs female

There is minimal sexual dimorphism in vesper sparrows, with males and females appearing similar. Both sexes share the same overall streaked brown coloration and prominent field marks like the white outer tail feathers. During the breeding season, males may exhibit slightly brighter plumage and perform more conspicuous behavior, such as singing from prominent perches.

Juvenile

Juvenile vesper sparrows resemble adults but typically display more subdued and fuzzier plumage with less distinct streaking. They may lack the definitive chestnut shoulder patch seen in adults and have more mottled chest and back patterns. As they mature, the plumage becomes more defined, resembling that of adult sparrows.

Size

5.1 - 6.3 in/0.7 - 1.0 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

Vesper Sparrows prefer open, grassy or weedy fields, often dry, with open soil. They may also inhabit weedy roadsides and gravel pits.

Additional range

Unexpected environments include high mountain grasslands, stubble fields, and grassy areas above sandy beaches. They breed where there are tall plants to use as song perches.

Range Map

What do vesper sparrows like to eat?

Natural diet

The vesper sparrow primarily feeds on a diet consisting of insects and seeds. During the summer, its diet mainly includes a variety of insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, moths, true bugs, as well as spiders and other invertebrates. In the winter months, the sparrow consumes seeds, primarily those of weeds and grasses.

Bird feeders

Vesper sparrows are less commonly found at bird feeders compared to other bird species. However, they might occasionally eat seeds provided in feeders, especially if natural food sources are scarce. Common feeder foods might include millet or mixed bird seed blends that mimic their natural seed diet.

What does a vesper sparrow sound like?

The vesper sparrow's vocalizations comprise a slow series of four clear musical notes, typically with the last two notes being higher in pitch. The song concludes with a descending series of trills. The sound has been interpretively described as "come-come-where-where-all-together-down-the-hill." The bird's call pattern is flat and displays an undulating quality. The types of calls made by the vesper sparrow include a chirp, a chip sound, a trill, and a whistle.

Song

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

There's more to learn about Vesper Sparrow

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Lincoln’s Sparrow

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Vesper 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

Vesper Sparrow

Pooecetes gramineus

General appearance

The vesper sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow characterized by its streaked brown body, white outer tail feathers, and a conspicuous chestnut shoulder patch. Its appearance includes a blend of brown, gray, and whitish underparts with streaked flanks. A pale eye ring and a slight crest can sometimes be observed, especially when the bird is alert.

Male vs female

There is minimal sexual dimorphism in vesper sparrows, with males and females appearing similar. Both sexes share the same overall streaked brown coloration and prominent field marks like the white outer tail feathers. During the breeding season, males may exhibit slightly brighter plumage and perform more conspicuous behavior, such as singing from prominent perches.

Juvenile

Juvenile vesper sparrows resemble adults but typically display more subdued and fuzzier plumage with less distinct streaking. They may lack the definitive chestnut shoulder patch seen in adults and have more mottled chest and back patterns. As they mature, the plumage becomes more defined, resembling that of adult sparrows.

Size

5.1 - 6.3 in/0.7 - 1.0 oz

There's more to learn about Vesper Sparrow

View full details

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

Visual differences

Lincoln's Sparrow (5-6 inches, 0.6-0.8 oz) displays a buff-colored 'whisker,' gray eyebrows, and brown cheeks, with a finely streaked buff chest. It lacks distinctive tail features. Vesper Sparrow (5-6.3 inches, 0.7-1 oz) has a streaked brown body, white outer tail feathers, and a chestnut shoulder patch, with a pale eye ring. Lincoln's Sparrow shows consistent facial patterns, while Vesper Sparrow highlights broader streaking and distinct tail markings. Both sparrows are similarly sized, but Vesper Sparrow's features like the shoulder patch and white tail tips are key differentiators.

Key differences and behavior

Lincoln's Sparrow and Vesper Sparrow exhibit distinct behaviors suited to their habitats. Lincoln's Sparrow prefers dense, moist environments with low vegetation near water, while Vesper Sparrow inhabits open, dry grasslands or fields. In breeding, Lincoln's Sparrow males use cold-weather singing as a mate attraction, whereas Vesper Sparrows conduct aerial displays. Their nesting habits are similar, with ground nests concealed among vegetation. Diet-wise, both sparrows eat insects in summer and seeds in winter, but Lincoln's Sparrow prefers wetter climes. In feeders, both species are infrequent visitors. Lincoln's Sparrow's song is low-key, often overshadowed by the louder Vesper Sparrow, especially at twilight, earning the latter its name.

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Lincoln’s Sparrow or Vesper Sparrow?

Lincoln’s Sparrow

How to recognise a Lincoln's sparrow?

Habitat

What do Lincoln’s sparrows like to eat?

What does a Lincoln's sparrow sound like?

Call

Song

There's more to learn about Lincoln’s Sparrow

Vesper Sparrow

How to recognise a vesper sparrow?

Habitat

What do vesper sparrows like to eat?

What does a vesper sparrow sound like?

Song

There's more to learn about Vesper Sparrow

Lincoln’s Sparrow

There's more to learn about Lincoln’s Sparrow

Vesper Sparrow

There's more to learn about Vesper Sparrow

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

Visual differences

Key differences and behavior

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