Watercolor portrait of Henslow's Sparrow (Centronyx henslowii)

Henslow's Sparrow

Centronyx henslowii
It breeds in the Midwest, Great Lakes re… It favors tall, dense grasslands with lo… Local and uncommon Primary song

Learn to identify the Henslow's Sparrow by ear. Master the "tsi-lick!" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“tsi-lick!”

What the Henslow's Sparrow sounds like

A tiny, secretive sparrow of shaggy grasslands, Henslow's Sparrow feels more like a rustle than a bird. When it finally pops up, look for the olive-green face, chestnut wings, and a short tail, then listen for its odd little song that sounds like a dry hiccup in the grass.

“tsi-lick!”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A tiny, sharp two-note song that sounds like a hiccup or a quick insect snap. Short, dry, and easy to miss unless you're listening for it. Often written as “tsi-lick!”.
Don't confuse with:The Grasshopper Sparrow — grasshopper sparrow has a plainer buff face and a bolder pale eye-ring.

Where you'll hear it

It favors tall, dense grasslands with lots of old stems and deep litter underfoot. Look in wet meadows, prairies, hayfields, and overgrown fields that feel messy and undisturbed.

Spring and early summer are the best times to find one, when males sing from weed stalks or grass stems at dawn. The rest of the year it stays low and sneaky, often flushing only at the last second and dropping right back into cover.

Similar species

Grasshopper Sparrow

Grasshopper Sparrow has a plainer buff face and a bolder pale eye-ring.

LeConte's Sparrow

LeConte's Sparrow has a warmer orange face and finer, more delicate streaking.

Savannah Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow has a longer tail and a stronger face pattern.

Henslow's Sparrow song FAQ

What does a Henslow's Sparrow sound like?
A tiny, sharp two-note song that sounds like a hiccup or a quick insect snap. Short, dry, and easy to miss unless you're listening for it. Listen for the "tsi-lick!" phrase.
How do I tell a Henslow's Sparrow from a Grasshopper Sparrow by sound?
Grasshopper Sparrow: Grasshopper Sparrow has a plainer buff face and a bolder pale eye-ring.; It usually looks cleaner below, with less streaking on the breast.; Its song is a longer insecty buzz, not Henslow's tiny 'tsi-lick.'.
When is the best time to hear a Henslow's Sparrow?
Spring and early summer are the best times to find one, when males sing from weed stalks or grass stems at dawn. The rest of the year it stays low and sneaky, often flushing only at the last second and dropping right back into cover.