ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Leconte's Sparrow

 Leconte's Sparrow

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Of our regularly occurring sparrows, this is the hardest to find. Even pishing - which can be very effective for luring retiring sparrows out for a look - seldom attracts them. It was named for Major John Le Conte of Georgia, an early American naturalist.


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Le Conte's Sparrow
Ammodramus leconteii

At-a-Glance

• Incubation: 12-13 days

• Clutch Size: 3-5 eggs

• Typical Foods: insects and seeds
Description
This sparrow has a black crown with a white stripe and an orange face with gray cheeks. Its breast is buffy in color and its sides are finely streaked.

Habitat and Habits
Le Conte's sparrows lurk in dense wetland vegetation, and are shy in the extreme. Their song is an insect-like trill suggestive of a Savannah sparrow, but beginning with a few stumbling introductory notes. However, they rarely sing away from the northern nesting grounds.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
Nests are cup-like and placed on the ground. They are usually made of grass and hair.