This close relative of Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow appears longer-billed and flat-headed. The face is bright buffy-orange, with gray auriculars, a dark line behind the eye, and a dark crown with a blurry gray median stripe. The breast and sides are washed pale buff with thin crisp blackish streaks. The belly is white. The upperparts are dull gray-brown with dark and whitish streaks.The nape is dark gray. The wings are brown with whitish tertial edges. Juveniles are more buffy-orange below with extensive blackish streaking.

Length: 12 (cm) Wingspan: 19 (cm)

Voice:

Song is a quiet hissing interspersed with gurgles and tinkling notes.

Habitat:

Saltwater marshes, coastal meadows

Behavior:

Secretive; will rarely fly very far before disappearing back into dense vegetation.

Feeding:

Feed primarily on insects and other invertebrates, supplemented by seeds.