Coastal Plain Swamp Sparrow
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The tidal marshes of the Middle Atlantic states are home to the coastal plain swamp sparrow, an unusual subspecies of the more widespread swamp sparrow.
Adaptations
Geographically isolated from its inland cousins for 10,000 years, the coastal plain swamp sparrow has these salt marsh habitat modifications:
- darker plumage
- larger bill
- less musical song
- prolonged nesting season
- larger kidneys (for excreting salt)
Habitat
It inhabits the upper reaches of salt marshes—an area of shrubs, grasses, and tidal guts.
Range
The breeding range includes parts of New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. The recently discovered winter range centers in North Carolina.
Status
Its small range and specific habitat requirements may make this population vulnerable. From 2000 to 2009, the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, in cooperation with the Delmarva Ornithological Society, have surveyed its population in Delaware.
