This shy little sparrow of the tall-grass prairie is flat-headed, large-billed, and has a short pointed tail. The crown is blackish with a buffy median stripe. The face and nape are drab olive, with a blackish triangular spot at the rear of the auriculars, a thin white eye ring, and a buffy malar stripe outlined in black. The back is streaked chestnut and black with white feather edges forming a scaly pattern. The wing coverts and tertial edges are rufous. The upper breast has a buffy band, with fine black streaks across the breast and down the sides. The belly is white. Juveniles are lighter overall, with a less contrasting head pattern and less streaking on the underparts.

Length: 12 (cm) Wingspan: 18 (cm)

Voice:

Song is a feeble ca-Chip.

Habitat:

"Old growth" prairie (several years since the last burn, with scattered brush), wet meadows.

Behavior:

Usually hidden in heavy cover except when singing. Often sings at night.

Feeding:

Forages on or near the ground for insects and small seeds.