Passerculus

Passerculus is a genus of passerine birds in the family Passerellidae, commonly known as sparrows. The genus contains two species, the Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) and the Ipswich Sparrow (Passerculus princeps).

The Savannah Sparrow is a widespread species found throughout North America, breeding in open habitats such as grasslands, meadows, and marshes. It is a migratory bird, with populations in the north migrating south for the winter. They are characterized by their streaked brown and white plumage, with a distinctive eye stripe and a short, conical bill. Their diet consists mainly of insects and seeds.

The Ipswich Sparrow is a subspecies of the Savannah Sparrow, found exclusively on the sand dunes of Sable Island off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. It is a larger and paler form of the Savannah Sparrow, with less streaking and a more uniform grayish-brown coloration. The Ipswich Sparrow is a resident species, not undertaking long-distance migrations. Its habitat is restricted to the unique dune environment of Sable Island, where it feeds on seeds and insects found in the sparse vegetation. Conservation efforts are in place to protect this geographically isolated population.