Birdsong field guide
Grassland Sparrow
Ammodramus humeralis
A small, elusive South American sparrow characterized by yellow facial markings and a preference for terrestrial movement within open habitats.
What it sounds like
A thin, high-pitched, and buzzy insect-like trill, often transcribed as 'tik-tik-tzee-e-e-e'.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
0:00 / 0:58
Field notes
- Possesses a distinctive yellow patch on the lores and at the bend of the wing.
- Often behaves more like a mouse than a bird, scurrying through dense grass rather than taking flight when disturbed.
- Constructs a well-concealed cup nest directly on the ground, typically sheltered by a thick grass tussock.
- Maintains a diet consisting primarily of grass seeds and small terrestrial invertebrates found while foraging.
- Though widespread, it is highly secretive and most easily detected by its high-pitched, insect-like song.
Habitat
Lowland grasslands, savannas, pastures, and open cerrado.
Range
Widespread across South America, from Colombia and Venezuela south to central Argentina.
Similar & commonly confused birds
Heard a Grassland Sparrow?
Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.
Identify a bird by its song