Lincoln's Sparrow is a finely streaked, buffy-breasted sparrow that is more often heard than seen, slipping through dense vegetation like a mouse. Its sweet, gurgling song, similar to a House Wren's, is surprisingly loud for such a secretive bird. It was described by John James Audubon and named for a young companion, Thomas Lincoln, who collected the first specimen in 1833.
Best time to see a Lincoln's Sparrow
The best time to see a Lincoln's Sparrow is November–April, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 27,321 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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Recent Lincoln's Sparrow sightings near you
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