General Description: Swamp Sparrows (Melospiza georgiana) are small, sexually monomorphic, clear-breasted sparrows. They are streaked gray and reddish-brown above with a white throat and white underparts. During summer the crown is rufous; otherwise it is streaked and has a gray central stripe. The wings are reddish.

Taxonomy: Passeriformes, Emberizidae.

Favored Habitat: Swamps and marshes of the north-central and north-eastern U.S. and throughout much of Canada during summer; similar habitat in the central and southern U.S. and south into Mexico during winter.

Where to Find: Don't look for Swamp Sparrows around Las Vegas. Rather, look for them in the eastern U.S. and Canada. However, they stray into our area during migration, so always keep an eye out for them. Several showed up in various places during the winter of 2012-2013, including about a dozen at Las Vegas Wash.

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