Sharp-tailed Sparrows
Jlstasz (Jlstasz@aol.com)
Sun, 5 Apr 1998 10:22:40 EDT
Hi Folks!
Next weekend should bring the first migrating Sharp-tailed Sparrows. Some
birds wintered on the Lower Eastern Shore, but the ones that moved even
further south will begin their return. The split into Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed
Sparrow and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow actually removed information from
our knowledge of these species. Very few observers made the distinction before
the split. What is shown in the "Yellow Book" is all we could piece together.
Nelson's Sparows are locally common migrants. On one May Count, Ed Boyd and I
found more than 20 at the Cove Point Marsh. The immediate shore of Chesapeake
Bay and coastal marshes are the places to look with fairly easy success.
Inland marsh areas have not been sufficiently explored.
There are actually 3 relatively easily separated forms that can be found:
(1) Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow [the breeding species] with a white throat,
white stripes on the back, and well-marked dark brown streaking on the breast
& flanks. This is probably found only in tidewater areas.
(2) Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow [subspecies nelsoni and alterus] with yellow
throats, bold white stripes on the back, less streaked on the breast and
flanks but with a much stronger golden wash. These are the most likely forms
inland.
(3) Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow [Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrow, subspecies
virgatus] with a faintly yellowish throat, gray or no streaks on the back,
ill-defined streaks on the flanks & breast, and a generally very dull gray-
green-brown color....sometimes mistaken for a Seaside Sparrow! This one should
not occur away from the Bay & Coastal Marshes.
The main migration is probably in early May...when most of us are looking for
wood Warblers. Maybe some effort in marshes will give us all a better idea
about the movement of these species.
Good Birding!
Jim
Jim Stasz
North Beach MD
jlstasz@aol.com
ps: I personally believe that further research will split Acadian Sharp-tailed
Sparrow from Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow. Acadian nests in coastal marshes
in New England and the Maritime Provinces....well away from the other two
Nelson's Sparrows....and is radically different in plumage.