AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Breeding Range Extension of the Coastal Plain Swamp Sparrow

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2008
Authors:Watts, BD, Wilson, MD, Smith, FM, Paxton, BJ, J. Williams, B
Journal:The Wilson Journal of Ornithology
Volume:120
Issue:2
Date Published:2008
ISBN Number:15594491
Keywords:Chesapeake Bay, Emberizidae, Melospiza, Melospiza georgiana, Zonotrichia, Zonotrichia georgiana
Abstract:The Coastal Plain Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana nigrescens) is morphologically distinct, restricted to a narrowly-defined habitat type, and geographically isolated within the mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain. The breeding range has been considered to extend from the Nanticoke River in Maryland north to the Hudson River. We report a previously undocumented population near Warsaw, Virginia that extends the known range south and west into a region of the Chesapeake Bay with extensive tidal fresh and brackish marshes consistent with the habitat requirements of this form, but for which there has been no documented breeding. A broader investigation of occurrence within appropriate habitat seems warranted given the small global population size and uncertain status within the southern portion of its range.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/20456159
Short Title:The Wilson Journal of Ornithology
Taxonomic name: 
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith