Savannah Sparrow
Passerculus sandwichensis
Photo taken at Buckeye, Maricopa Co., Arizona, USA, November 2009.
Savannah Sparows inhabit open areas across North America, but are absent during the hot summer months in the Sonoran Desert. With the arrival of wintery weather they migrate south and many spend the winter in the warmer deserts of Arizona. These are small sparrows; noticeably smaller than house finches. Notice streaking on breast that may or may not be congealed into a ‘stick pin’ and the yellowish stripe through the eye.
A good supply of seeds, especially grasses, is required and so grasslands and agricultural fields are preferred. Savannah Sparrows will be found in the low deserts only in years with abundant winter rains.