Region

North America

Typical Environment

Breeds widely across the central and western United States and into southern Canada, with wintering grounds in the southern U.S. and Mexico. It favors open grasslands, prairies, shrub-steppe, savannas, pastures, and weedy agricultural fields. The species avoids dense forests, instead using edges, fencerows, and scattered trees or shrubs for perching and nesting. During migration and winter it also occupies road margins, stubble fields, and arid scrub.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 2400 m

Climate Zone

Temperate

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

strong direct flight with short, bounding wingbeats

Social Behavior

Typically solitary or in pairs during breeding, becoming more gregarious in loose flocks outside the breeding season. Nests are placed on the ground or low in shrubs; pairs are generally monogamous. Males perform a distinctive hopping display, often carrying a grass stem while singing.

Migratory Pattern

Partial migrant

Song Description

A rich, melodious series of clear whistles interspersed with trills and buzzy notes, often delivered from an elevated perch. Calls include a sharp tsip and soft chips during foraging and flocking.

Diet

Eats a mix of grass and forb seeds, waste grain, and seasonally abundant insects. Insects, especially grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars, are taken more frequently during the breeding season and fed to nestlings. Forages mostly on the ground by walking and gleaning, occasionally scratching to uncover seeds. Will visit recently disturbed soils and stubble for spilled grain.

Preferred Environment

Open ground with short vegetation, such as prairies, grazed pastures, field margins, and roadside edges. Frequently uses areas with scattered shrubs or fences for perches near feeding sites. In arid regions, favors shrub-steppe and open scrub with bare patches.