Wintering Sparrows in Florida

Savannah Sparrow

If you like sparrows, Florida is a pretty good place to be in the winter.  I can only think of four sparrows that breed here: Seaside Sparrow, Bachman's Sparrow, "Florida" Grasshopper Sparrow (for the time being), and Eastern Towhee.  But beginning in the Fall, sparrows begin to come down here for the winter.

Swamp Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

By far the most common of these are Savannah, Swamp and Chipping Sparrows.  They come here in large numbers.  there are some places you might see over a 100 Savannah Sparrows in one place.

Nelson's Sparrow

Saltmarsh Sparrow

Over by the coast, you can find both Sharp-tailed Sparrows.  Nelson's and Saltmarsh Sparrows can be seen in saltmarsh habitats.

Le Conte's Sparrow

Henslow's Sparrow

Le Conte's and Henslow's Sparrows are a bit trickier to find, but if you lucky, you might just find them.

Grasshopper Sparrow

The "Florida" Grasshopper Sparrow breeds here, though numbers are declining rapidly.  But during the winter time, we get northern migrants to come down and spend the winter with us.  In a few years, these may be the only ones we get to see.

Vesper Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Field Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

With a little investigating, there are several more sparrows that can be regularly found.  Vesper's Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrows (I don't have any photos of White-throated Sparrows in Florida).  Field Sparrows and Song Sparrows also make appearances, but they can become a little sparse south of Gainesville.

Lincoln's Sparrow

Clay-colored Sparrow

Lark Sparrow

And sometimes rarities come down here to spend the winter with us. Lincoln's, Clay-colored and Lark Sparrows sometimes come by.  I still have a list of others to see--Fox Sparrow and Harris' Sparrow are on the top of my list.