The Lincoln’s sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) is a small songbird that breeds across Canada and the western United States. It winters primarily in Mexico and the southern United States. There are four recognized subspecies of the Lincoln’s sparrow:
- M. l. lincolnii
- M. l. gracilis
- M. l. altivagans
- M. l. striata
These subspecies differ slightly in their breeding ranges and migratory patterns, as well as minor variations in their appearance and songs. Below we will explore each of the Lincoln’s sparrow subspecies in more detail.
M. l. lincolnii
M. l. lincolnii, also known as the Eastern Lincoln’s sparrow, is the nominate subspecies. This means it is the same subspecies as the original specimen used to describe the species by Alexander Wilson in 1810.
The breeding range of M. l. lincolnii extends across Canada from British Columbia to Quebec. It winters primarily in the southeastern United States.
This subspecies has olive-brown upperparts with blurry streaking on the back and wings. It has a buff colored chest with finely streaked underparts fading to white on the belly. It has a gray face with a chestnut crown stripe bordered by gray.
Appearance
M. l. lincolnii has the following key identifying features:
- Gray face
- Chestnut brown crown stripe bordered by gray
- Olive-brown upperparts with blurry streaking
- Buff chest with finely streaked underparts fading to white belly
- Pinkish bill
The sexes appear similar. Juveniles have blurrier streaking on the underparts.
Song
The song of M. l. lincolnii is a hurried series of buzzy trills and twitters, often ending in a downslurred note. It is higher-pitched and faster than the western subspecies.
M. l. gracilis
M. l. gracilis, or the Northwestern Lincoln’s sparrow, breeds from northwestern British Columbia through southwest Yukon and Alaska. It winters along the Pacific Coast from southern British Columbia to Baja California.
This subspecies is grayer overall with reduced chestnut coloring on the crown stripe. It has blurry streaking on its upperparts and underparts.
Appearance
M. l. gracilis is identified by:
- Gray face
- Gray crown stripe with little or no chestnut
- Grayish-brown upperparts with blurry streaking
- Pale gray underparts with blurry streaking
- Pink bill
The sexes are similar in appearance. Juveniles have buffier underparts than adults.
Song
This subspecies sings a slower, lower-pitched trilled song compared to M. l. lincolnii. It includes buzzy trills interspersed with lower, more musical phrases.
M. l. altivagans
The Interior Lincoln’s sparrow, M. l. altivagans, breeds from Yukon south through western Alberta to Wyoming. It winters in western Mexico.
This subspecies has reduced streaking on its underparts and a more pronounced supercilium (eyebrow stripe).
Appearance
M. l. altivagans can be identified by:
- Gray face
- Chestnut crown stripe bordered in gray
- Olive-brown upperparts with some streaking
- Buffy underparts with thin streaking
- Distinct white supercilium
- Pink bill
As with other subspecies, males and females appear similar. Juveniles are buffier overall with more heavily streaked underparts.
Song
The song consists of hurried, buzzy trills mixed with lower whistled or warbled notes. It is lower-pitched than M. l. lincolnii.
M. l. striata
The Southwestern Lincoln’s sparrow, M. l. striata, occurs in mountains and wetlands of the western United States. Its breeding range extends from southern California through Arizona into New Mexico. It winters in northwestern Mexico.
This subspecies is the most brightly colored with heavy bold streaking on its underparts.
Appearance
M. l. striata is identified by:
- Gray face
- Chestnut crown stripe bordered in black
- Brown upperparts with heavy streaking
- Cinnamon colored underparts with thick black streaks
- Pink bill
As in other subspecies, males and females are similar in plumage. Juveniles are more heavily streaked below.
Song
This subspecies sings a hurried, trilled song like other Lincoln’s sparrows. It includes buzzy trills and musical warbled phrases.
Summary Comparison
| Subspecies | Breeding Range | Winter Range | Appearance | Song |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. l. lincolnii | Canada to Great Lakes | Southeastern US | Olive-brown back, buffy underparts with fine streaks, chestnut crown | Fast, hurried buzzy trills |
| M. l. gracilis | Northwestern Canada and Alaska | Pacific Coast | Gray back and underparts, little chestnut on crown | Slow, lower buzzy trills |
| M. l. altivagans | Western Canada to Wyoming | Western Mexico | Olive back, buffy underparts with thin streaks, white supercilium | Lower pitched, buzzy and warbled |
| M. l. striata | Southwestern US | Northwestern Mexico | Heavily streaked brown back and cinnamon underparts | Hurried, buzzy trills |
This summarizes the key differences between the four Lincoln’s sparrow subspecies in terms of their breeding and wintering ranges, appearance, and songs. The subspecies differ primarily in subtle plumage features and vocalizations.
Conclusion
The Lincoln’s sparrow has four recognized subspecies across its breeding range in Canada and the western United States. These include M. l. lincolnii, M. l. gracilis, M. l. altivagans, and M. l. striata. The subspecies vary slightly in plumage colors and patterns, especially in the amount of streaking on the back and underparts. They also differ in the speed, pitch, and buzziness of their songs. Distribution can aid identification, as each subspecies has a distinct breeding and wintering range. While differentiation may be difficult in the field, being aware of the key differences between the subspecies can help birders appreciate the diversity within this species. Careful observation of plumage and vocalizations combined with range can help identify which subspecies has been observed.
