This sparrow can be seen continent wide but restricts is location to being in the southern continent during winter and northern areas for summer and breeding.

Numerous in the west and somewhat scarce in the east. Like forest wet land in summer including bogs, pond margins, and wet meadows. Prefers drier bushy areas during migration and winter.

Tends to keep out of site, skulks.

A medium size bird with a dainty appearance, rounded belly and head, but the back of it′s head often looks crested with raised crown feathers.

This sparrow is streaky brown, buffy, and gray overall with rusty edges to its wings and tail. Its chest and sides are rich buff with fine black streaking that fades into a white belly. Its face is marked by a buffy mustache stripe that is bordered by thin brown lines.

A buffy eyering, a thick gray eyebrow, and a dark eyeline mark the area around the eye. Its crown is striped brown and black with a gray central crown stripe.