Region

North America

Typical Environment

Breeds in wet meadows and marshes of the northern Great Plains and in coastal marshes around Hudson and James Bays, extending to the Canadian Maritimes. Winters primarily in coastal salt and brackish marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts from the Mid-Atlantic to Texas and occasionally Florida. Prefers dense emergent vegetation such as cordgrass, cattails, and sedges, often near shallow water. Nests are placed low in vegetation and can be vulnerable to flooding. Use of habitat mosaics at marsh edges and tidal flats is common during migration and winter.

Altitude Range

0–1000 m

Climate Zone

Temperate

Temperament

secretive and skulking

Flight Pattern

short, low flights with rapid wingbeats over marsh vegetation

Social Behavior

Typically solitary or in loose pairs during breeding, using dense vegetation for cover. Nests are shallow cups woven into marsh grasses just above the substrate; clutches commonly 3–5 eggs. Males sing from exposed stalks but much activity occurs within thick cover. Outside breeding, small loose flocks may form in rich feeding areas.

Migratory Pattern

Seasonal migrant

Song Description

Song is a short, insect-like hiss-buzz sequence, often described as a dry tsssk followed by a buzzy bzzt. Calls are sharp chips and thin tseet notes, delivered from low perches within marshes.