Bird Description

Fairly common in W, scarcer to E. Breeds in wet thickets, but found in drier habitat, usually with grass, bushes and brush, the rest of the year. Secretive, tending to creep around in cover or fly off to hide. Song: a series of full-bodied musical trills, the longest in the middle. Call is an emphatic 'chip.' ID: Superficially like SOSP, but smaller and slighter. Rather cute with a peaked crown, small bill, and distinct eyering. A bird of fine streaks, on crown, nape and, most importantly, breast; actually just about everywhere if you look closely. Breast has subtle but distinct buff wash across it. Like SOSP and SASP, it has a dark central breast spot. Briefly held juv plumage more similar to SOSP; focus on size and shape.