Nature Walk: Savannah Sparrow

Savannah sparrows can be found in a wide variety of grasslands across the United States and Canada. While their name seems to reflect their preference for grassland, the name actually came from an early specimen collected in Savannah, Georgia by the ornithologist Alexander Wilson. These small birds can be characterized by their subtle streaked breast, white belly, notched tail and yellow lores. The savannah sparrow pictured above rests on the lichen-covered rocks along the north shore of Lake Superior.