The Swamp Sparrow is most commonly found in wet and marshy habitats, particularly in the eastern portions of its range, thus giving it its common name. Its plumage is characterized by a grayish-brown upper body with black streaks on its back and wings, while its breast, throat, and belly are paler or whitish in coloration. In winter they live not only in marshes but also in thickets and weedy fields away from water. They often stay out of sight, and they can be detected by their bright pulsing callnotes.
This binaural audio recording features the Swamp Sparrow birdsong recorded in its natural habitat in Minnesota's Sand Dunes State Forest near a prominent babbling river stream together with other birds, insects, and ground creatures. Other birdsongs include: Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker drumming, American Robin, Nashville Warbler, Red-winged Blackbird, Chipping Sparrow, Woodpecker drumming, Song Sparrow, Winter Wren, Common Raven, Woodpecker.